CAPE TOWN – Rich and poor countries alike are missing huge opportunities when it comes to making the most of their populations’ economic potential, especially those in Sub-Saharan Africa, according to the World Economic Forum’s Human Capital Report 2016 published on Tuesday.
Worldwide, an average of just 65 percent of talent is being optimised during all stages of working life through education, skills development and deployment, the report says.
The Sub-Saharan African region ranks lowest, with an overall average score of 55.44 for the 26 countries ranked. Only one other region, South Asia, falls below the 60 percent average.
The report – which aims to help countries assess the outcomes of past and present policies and investments in education and skills and provide guidance on how to prepare the workforce for the future demands of the global economy – indexes 130 countries.
In a statement released with the report, Klaus Schwab, founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum (WEF), urged the world’s educators and employers to “fundamentally rethink human capital through dialogue and partnerships”.
He added: “The adaptation of educational institutions, labour market policy and workplaces are crucial to growth, equality and social stability.”
The danger of missed opportunity is especially notable for Africa as it stands poised to benefit from a so-called demographic dividend thanks to having the world’s highest proportion of young people.
This WEF report shows that there is a way to go before the continent unlocks the potential of its human capital, which is essential to fully capitalising on this dividend, widely seen as a key pathway to achieving rapid and inclusive economic growth and long-term development.
Finland, Norway and Switzerland are in the top three spots, effectively using about 85 percent of their full human capital potential.
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Africa is best at wasting talent: WEF
CAPE TOWN – Rich and poor countries alike are missing huge opportunities when it comes to making the most of their populations’ economic potential, especially those in Sub-Saharan Africa, according to the World Economic Forum’s Human Capital Report 2016 published on Tuesday.
Worldwide, an average of just 65 percent of talent is being optimised during all stages of working life through education, skills development and deployment, the report says.
The Sub-Saharan African region ranks lowest, with an overall average score of 55.44 for the 26 countries ranked. Only one other region, South Asia, falls below the 60 percent average.
The report – which aims to help countries assess the outcomes of past and present policies and investments in education and skills and provide guidance on how to prepare the workforce for the future demands of the global economy – indexes 130 countries.
In a statement released with the report, Klaus Schwab, founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum (WEF), urged the world’s educators and employers to “fundamentally rethink human capital through dialogue and partnerships”.
He added: “The adaptation of educational institutions, labour market policy and workplaces are crucial to growth, equality and social stability.”
The danger of missed opportunity is especially notable for Africa as it stands poised to benefit from a so-called demographic dividend thanks to having the world’s highest proportion of young people.
This WEF report shows that there is a way to go before the continent unlocks the potential of its human capital, which is essential to fully capitalising on this dividend, widely seen as a key pathway to achieving rapid and inclusive economic growth and long-term development.
Finland, Norway and Switzerland are in the top three spots, effectively using about 85 percent of their full human capital potential.
Source
Three-month extension for Lesotho nationals to get legal in South Africa
So far‚ close to 40‚000 applications have been received. However‚ an estimated 400‚000 Basotho are believed to be living in South Africa.
The last day for applications was 30 June 2016. The date has now been extended by three months to 30 September 2016.
The department said in a statement on Tuesday that the request for an extension was among the recommendations made at the Consultation of Directors-General of Home Affairs held in Maseru on June 1.
“The extension to the end of September will assist in mitigating challenges making it difficult for people to seize the opportunity to regularise their stay in South Africa‚ but we urge people to apply without any further delay‚” Minister Gigaba said.
Not all Lesotho citizens have Lesotho identity documents. Some applicants are battling to provide the required documents while others fear arrest relating to the amnesty process. Access and connectivity for applicants have also posed a challenge since registration is online‚ the department said.
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Refugees have an equal right to schooling
The Constitution guarantees everyone the right to basic education, and to equality. The United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees says refugee learners should enjoy the same education as nationals. But in South Africa, this is often not the case.
Grace* and her mother are from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
They have lived in South Africa as asylum seekers for about ten years, periodically renewing their asylum-seeker permits which allow for work and study in South Africa, and protect against deportation.
Grace completed her primary school education in the Western Cape and applied in good time for enrolment in grade 8 at her nearest high school, which happened to be the same one that her cousin Jeffrey* attended. Jeffrey was in the grade above Grace. His own application for enrolment was initially rejected, with the school citing a number of reasons, including that Jeffrey lived outside of the school feeder-zone (which was incorrect), a bad behaviour report from his primary school, and the fact that as a foreign national Jeffrey would probably struggle with the language barrier at the school, which was dual-medium. In truth Jeffrey, like many other young asylum seekers who completed primary schooling in South Africa, was able to understand and speak Afrikaans at his grade level.
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12 African Countries Where Elephants And Rhinos Could Soon Become Extinct
Africa’s population of elephants and rhinos is increasingly faced with the threat of extinction. This is due to increased illegal poaching for their treasured horns and ivory, which are usually sold in mostly Asian markets such as China and Vietnam.
There are about 470,000 elephants left in Africa. In 2015, 1,338 rhinos were killed across the continent.
Below are 12 African countries where the two animals are faced with the threat of extinction.
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