CAUSES OF UNEMPLOYMENT AMONG THE YOUTH:



CAUSES OF UNEMPLOYMENT AMONG THE YOUTH:

A CASE STUDY OF MANYANYA VILLAGE IN BUSIA DISTRICT

BY

OPOSIA JACOB

09/U/14214/EXT

A RESEARCH REPORT SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT

FOR THE AWARD OF A DIPLOMA IN YOUTH

IN DEVELOPMENT WORK

MAKERERE UNIVERSITY

JULY 2011

Declaration

I Oposia Jacob do hereby declare that causes, effects and strategies for youth unemployment is entirely my original work, except where acknowledged and that it has not been submitted before to any other University or institution of higher learning for the award of a diploma.

Signature……………………………….. Date……………………

This research report has been submitted for examination with my approval as the candidates University supervisor.

Signature………………………………..

Name……………………………………. Date………………………

Dedication

This report is dedicated to my aunties Dr Dinner Nahabi, Aunt Esther, Aunt Florence and Aunt Samanya whose persistent support cannot be exhaustively defined. May God’s blessings be multiplied for their parental love and care. To my sisters Myra and Doreen for all the good advice and encouragement.

Thank you indeed.

To my course mates and friends Stephen Osinde, Ashraf Nsamba, Bernard Nsubuga, Kenneth Muwanguzi, Zahidi, Aleku, Stuart Sabwa, and Grace Atugonza, your academic support helped me so much. May God bless you.

Acknowledgement

I thank the Almighty God who cleared my way and gave me wisdom to study.

I also wish to appreciate the time and assistance granted to me by a number of persons for their direct and indirect involvement throughout the course and research; without this, this venture could not have been successful.

My special thanks go to Dr. Dinner Nahabi for the financial and moral support she rendered to see me get education. To my sisters, cousins and the entire family, I appreciate and love you all.

Special thanks go to Uncle Richard for the love and financial support he granted me. You have really showed me a good heart. Please thank you.

My sincere appreciation goes to my supervisor Mr. Samuel Siminyu for his patience and fatherly guidance throughout the research and making the report a success.

To my course mates and Winnie who sweated with typing and binding.

Table of contents

Declaration i

Dedication ii

Acknowledgement iii

Table of contents iv

List of tables vii

List of figures viii

List of acronyms ix

Abstract x

CHAPTER ONE 1

Introduction 1

1.0 Overview 1

1.1 Background 1

1.2 Statement of the problem 3

1.3 Purpose of the study 3

1.4 Objectives of the study 4

1.5 Scope of the study 4

1.6 Significance of the study 4

CHAPTER TWO: 5

Review of related literature 5

2.0 Overview 5

2.1 Causes of youth unemployment 5

2.2 Effects of youth unemployment 7

2.3 Solutions to youth unemployment 8

CHAPTER THREE 10

Methodology 10

3.0 Overview 10

3.1 Research design 10

3.2 Sampling procedure or technique 10

3.3 Sample size 10

3.4 Data collection and instruments 11

3.5 Procedure 11

3.6 Data analysis 11

CHAPTER FOUR 12

Presentation Discussion and Analysis of the findings 12

4.0 Overview 12

4.1 Demographic characteristics of the respondents 12

4.2 Findings on understanding of unemployment 15

4.3 The main Causes of youth unemployment 16

Table 5: Causes of youth unemployment 16

4.3.1 Low levels of education 16

4.3.2 Lack of adequate skills 16

4.3.3 Job selectivity 16

4.3.4 Bad government policies 16

4.3.5 Limited job opportunities 17

4.3.6 Limited access to resources 17

4.4 The main effects of youth unemployment. 17

Table 6: The main effects of youth unemployment 17

4.4.1 Limited basic needs 18

4.4.2 Poor standards of living 18

4.4.3 High crime rate 18

4.4.4 Limited basic services 18

4.4.5 High Dependency 18

4.4.6 No access to resources 18

4.5 The main strategies for addressing youth unemployment 19

4.5.1 Government commitment 19

4.5.2 Vocational training 19

4.5. 3 Credit provision 19

4.5.4 Ease access to resources 20

CHAPTER FIVE 21

Discussion conclusion and recommendations 21

5.0 Overview 21

5.1 Discussion 21

5.2 Understanding of unemployment 21

5.2.3 Causes of youth unemployment 21

5.2.3 Effects of youth unemployment 22

5.2.4 Strategies for addressing youth unemployment 24

5.3 Conclusion 25

5.4 Recommendations 26

REFERENCES 27

APPENDIX A: QUESTIONNAIRE 29

APPENDIX B: LETTER OF INTRODUCTION FROM THE UNIVERSITY

List of tables

Table 1: Category by sex of the respondents 12

Table 2: Marital status 13

Table 3: Summary of the educational level of the respondents 14

Table 4: Understanding of unemployment 15

Table 5: Causes of youth unemployment 16

Table 6: The main effects of youth unemployment 17

Table 7: The main strategies for addressing youth unemployment 19

List of figures

Figure 1: Respondents categorized by age 13

Figure 2: Educational level of the respondents 14

List of acronyms

NRM National Resistance Movement

M.P Member of Parliament

NYP National Youth Policy

CYF Commonwealth Youth Forum

NGO Non-Governmental Organisation

UN United Nations

L.C Local Council

UNHHS Uganda National Household Survey

UNFPA United Nations Population Fund

CBO Community-Based Organisation

YES Youth Enterprise Credit Scheme

UBS Uganda Bureau of Statistics

NUYO National Union of Youth Organisations

UNDHS United Nations Demographic Health Survey

LRA Lord’s Resistance Army

ADF Allied Democratic Forces

Abstract

The youths are universally recognized as an important part of any society by both global and local programmes as well as institutions. For example the United Nations put aside every twelfth day of August of every year as an International Youth Day. In Uganda, National Youth Council which has a full secretariat from National level (Parliament) to village level, clearly spells out that youth be represented at all levels of decision making. In Manyanya, youths are also represented by their youth councilors and also assisted by several technical people such as RDCs, LCs among others. Sadly, in spite of all these efforts, there is very little evidence on ground to show that youth have been fully empowered although many have attained tertiary education. The rate of unemployment is still alarming. Not many studies have been undertaken to establish the causes, effects and solutions to such high unemployment rate.

The study used both qualitative and quantitative research methods with a sample size of 50 respondents of whom were 30 were youths, 15 civil servants, 4 parents and a local council 1 Chairperson of the community. A questionnaire was mainly used for data collection where questions were answered by the use of a tick in the provided space/box as well as filling in answers directly in the dashes provided.

The study findings revealed that unemployment affects more male youth than females. The major causes of unemployment identified in this study were: low levels of education, lack of adequate skills, job selectivity, limited job opportunities, as well as bad government policies. Effects included: Poor standards of living, high crime rate, limited basic services, high dependency, and limited access to resources. The study concluded that most of the respondents have ever gone to school and very few who never had education but a big proportion of them were all affected by unemployment. Proposed strategies included government commitment, vocational training, credit provision, and increased access to resources.

The study therefore recommends that the government should increase social services in education, should review its policies with a view to making them youth employment friendly. That the government should also reform the education curricula in both secondary and vocational schools to emphasize skills development, increased investment in industries as well as curriculum. Youth must be sensitized to be willing to take on any lawful economic activity so long as it is profitable. Stakeholders should also establish vocational training institutions where the youth can acquire skills in various activities such as carpentry, brick making, and entreprenural skills among others.

CHAPTER ONE

Introduction

1.0 Overview

This chapter presents a background to the study, statement of the problem, purpose of the study, objectives, scope, and significance of the study.

1.1 Background

According to the Commonwealth(2007), youth is a person aged 15 to 29; UN take youth to be persons aged 14 to 25 whereas the National Youth Policy defines youth as all young person’s female and male, aged 12 to 30 years (Balunzi, 2001).

The International Labour Organization defines unemployed youth as the proportion of the youth labour force that is unemployed. The unemployed comprise all persons above a specified age who, during the reference point, were: without work, currently available for work and actively seeking work. The labour force therefore is the sum of the number of persons employed and the number of persons unemployed.

In 2007, the UN secretary general Kofi Annan noted that there were approximately 66 million unemployed youth in the world today, an increase of nearly 10million since 1965 (Commonwealth Secretariat, 2004).

The UNFPA state of the world’s population 2005 report says that nearly half the world’s population (about 3 billion) are under the age of 25.Of these, about 500 million are youth (people aged 15-24). Globally, more than one billion jobs need to be created to accommodate young workers entering the labour force and reduce the increasing unemployment rate. Since the 1970s, young people had become increasingly over represented among the unemployed in developed and developing nations. A Commonwealth Youth Program report (1996) summarized the situation when it pointed out that young people are too frequently subject to a disproportionate burden of unemployment.

According to the UNPHC (2002), persons aged 15-19 years constitute about 29% of the 21.6 million of the population. Of these, females constitute 51% and males 49%. Most of the youths live in rural areas; but a significant number migrate to urban areas in hope of finding employment. However, most of the youth fail to get jobs and end up in urban slums and streets. They engage in unproductive or anti-social activities like prostitution, thuggery, drugs and substance abuse thereby increasing pressure on the few urban facilities and amenities, (National Youth Policy, 2001).

Although in 1986 the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government made a radical departure in organizing the youth and put in place structures to empower them socially and economically, these have not been accompanied by sufficient resources. Both the department responsible for youth and the National Youth Council lack adequate resources. While a number of measures have been adopted to address the concerns of the youth such as skills and enterprise development programs, the efforts are still insufficient to meet the varied needs of the majority of the youth, (Youth Entrepreneurial Schemes (YES), 2002). It should also be noted that unlike in the past (1980s to 1990s) many youth serving organizations and Community Based-Organizations (CBOs) emerge which, while doing commendable jobs, work independently of each other (Balunzi, 2001).

To eradicate unemployment, Uganda requires creating 600,000 jobs every year yet the current investments generate only 2000 jobs every year. There is therefore need for awareness and build an adequate understanding of issues by the government to enhance youth employment opportunities through entrepreneurship skills development, increased investments in industries; curriculum also has to be invested to emphasize knowledge base. (Commonwealth Youth Forum, (CYF), 2007).

Manyanya village located 18 kilometers west of Busia town is a shadow of the mineral wealth it holds and the strategic location of nearness to the boarder. The people wallow in abject poverty manifested in the grass thatched hats in homes and schools. Residents wear rags and over 67% of the people live on less than a dollar a day.The most affected are youths. (Uganda Bureau of Statistics(UBOS), 2011).In spite of the gold mines licensed to a South African firm 16 years ago by the government, the community still suffers high rates of unemployment, poor school and hospital infrastructure, poor roads, among others.

1.2 Statement of the problem

The youths are universally recognized as an important part of any society. To this end, both global and local programs as well as institutions have focused efforts upon the youths. For example, the United Nations has set aside every twelfth day of August of every year as an International Youth Day. This was all intended to mobilize local and international attention towards the youth and the problems they face particularly unemployment. In Uganda, the National Youth Council which has a full secretariat both from the National level (Parliament) to the village level, clearly spells out that youth be represented at all levels of decision making. In Manyanya, youths are also represented by their youth councilors and also assisted by several technical people such as LCs and other civil servants such as RDCs, a fully elected Member of Parliament, among others. Sadly, in spite of all these efforts, there is very little evidence on ground to show that youth have been empowered although many have attained tertiary education. The rate of unemployment is alarming. Not many studies have been undertaken to establish the causes, effects as well as solutions to such high unemployment rate.

1.3 Purpose of the study

The purpose of the study is to find out the causes of youth unemployment in Manyanya village in Busia district.

1.4 Objectives of the study

The study was broken down into the following objectives;

1. To identify the causes of youth unemployment.

1. To find out the effects of unemployment among the youth in the area.

1. To propose solutions towards youth unemployment.

1.5 Scope of the study

The study was carried out in Manyanya village in Busia district mainly around public areas such as markets, football grounds and streets. It also worked hand in hand with various people among these were; youths, elders, community civil servants L.Cs among others. The study was carried out between the month of May and June 2011. It also utilized ideas from other researchers and or authors concerning the causes, effects as well as possible solutions to youth unemployment.

1.6 Significance of the study

The findings of this study are expected to help the government realize the importance of making policies that are favorable so as to increase youth employment opportunities as well as participation.

The findings are also further expected to sensitize local authorities and other stakeholders on the importance of considering youth key to the success of any development initiative. The results of the study are further expected to awaken the youth on the dangers of unemployment

CHAPTER TWO

Review of related literature

2.0 Overview

This chapter presents a review of related literature of the study. It therefore stresses various themes from the study objectives including causes of unemployment, effects of unemployment as well as solutions to unemployment.

2.1 Causes of youth unemployment

George Ogola (Oct, 1994) analyzed some characteristics of unemployment in Tororo and the influence of some selected variables on employment growth. He attributed the unemployment problem to factors like selectivity among school leavers whose expectations/aspirations are to gain modern sector employment in spite of the limited opportunities in the sector. He observed that of all the unemployed youth, 26.1% had completed primary education and 38.6% had acquired secondary school education. These large proportions of persons with secondary school education was a reflection of job selectivity on their part because of their high expectations of well paying white collar jobs and are often reluctant to accept low level jobs. The purpose of this research is to find ways of addressing unemployment situations among the educated and uneducated youth of Manyanya village.

At the International Youth Day Celebrations (2009), the youth in their memorandum outlined challenges still being faced by them in finding employment. These included influx of foreign workers brought by investors, lack of support for young entrepreneurs especially in the rural areas, lack of access to resources like land and capital; lack of focus by existing programs on the informal sector and agriculture, negative cultural practices such as gender discrimination among others. That all these limit their access to profitable activities.

Lincoln (2007) identified that policies like structural adjustment which involve cutting costs, shading labour or freezing public sector wages and cutting employment through cutting public services affects youth so much. He added that governments tend to be excessively bureaucratic which cause unnecessary delay for youth to at least start their own businesses hence remaining unemployed.

Callaway (1971) also argues that, in many countries, the rapid extension of formal education has itself has been a significant factor in the growth of youth unemployment. This vigorous expansion took place in line with the generally held belief that massive increase in education would help to generate economic growth. Gradually, it became clear that large numbers of young people completing different stages of education were not finding work that represented the years spent in classrooms. There is need to redesign our education system to suit the changing situation.

Andre (1980) reported that youth with multiple social economic disadvantages, for example, low education attainment, physical and mental handicaps and young girls with early pregnancies are most likely to comprise the bulk of young people in this high risk group of unemployment. The consequence for the children of young, unmarried mothers can also be critical, as they may be growing up within a cycle of poverty, especially if the young mother has no or a few marketable skills and/or no financial support from the father of the child.

Nial (2001) focused on the characteristics of youth labour markets and young people as a whole and also the behavioral and personal attributes of individuals that affect their chances of finding work. Odogi (1982) noted that since the cost of training is high, most employees prefer ready materials; that is, those tutored in work ethics. Organizations want flexible people who can do different tasks from different fields.

Cote and Allaher (2000) argued that youth unemployment is also as a result of adolescence being extended through longer periods of education and child labour laws. That the labour of young people is not needed except in the service industries and that young people have to wait longer in order to be fully recognized as adults before gaining better employment. He adds that, most of these youths in the long run, become idle. Those in urban areas with little schooling and few job opportunities have ended up playing part in conflicts.

2.2 Effects of youth unemployment

Balunzi (2001) argues that youth who fail to get jobs end up in urban slums and streets and engage in unproductive activities like prostitution, thuggery, drugs and substance abuse. Many young people experience serious difficulties during this transition period.

Owen (2009) argues that the implications of unemployment for young people may include poverty, migration to urban areas, homelessness and housing problems, rising crime rates in some areas, lack of youth participation in society and low morale among young people. Implications that have impact on young women are adolescent prostitution and higher rates of teenage pregnancies. Young women may find their life changes particularly limited.

World Bank (2008) warns that unless Uganda scale up her efforts to create jobs, the youth will find their way into crime and armed conflict given the challenges they face in the labour market. It adds that, most of the rebel groups that ravage the country such as the Lords’ Resistance Army (LRA) and Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) take advantage of the idle youth.

The Commonwealth Youth Program (2007) also argues that unemployment may force young people to stay at home longer than they or their parents may wish and this in the long results in to increased conflict and mental or financial stress within the family. That unemployment may also mean that young women are forced to leave school early, stay home and provide domestic services for the rest of the family. In a bid to secure income, a young person may be tempted to turn to a career in crime. Depression associated with unemployment may lead him/her to substance abuse.

2.3 Solutions to youth unemployment

Callaway (1971) noted that government needs to know the characteristics of job seeking-young people: ages, educational positions, family backgrounds and living conditions, migratory movements, aspirations, periods unemployed as well as incidence of unemployment in different parts of the country. According to Bishop Ssekamaanya (2009), the government should create jobs for graduates to reduce on the number of those seeking greener pastures abroad.

According to Illi (1962) the solution to combating youth unemployment lies in establishing youth clubs all over the country. Those clubs are intended to provide education and social services and aim to discourage young persons from visiting unsuitable places or hanging around streets. They do not offer professional training and do not attempt to raise false hopes of youth by any pretence that they will find employment. Creation of improved youth employment centers would also help to check on unemployment through vocational schools where, young people receive theoretical and practical training in fields which they have freely chosen. It is hoped that the training given would provide classes of persons qualified in various professions. At the end of the training, members would return to their villages or the outskirts of towns where it is hoped that with state aid, they would become better peasants, stock farmers or craftsmen. Andre (1980) argues that youth unemployment policy should be conceived and designed to prevent a further rise in the structural component of the current youth unemployment.

In the petition to the president at the International Youth Day celebrations held on 8th August 2009 presented by the National Youth Council chairperson Joseph Okwakol, the main subject was to reduce the retirement age for civil servants from 60-55.Once this is done, the problem of youth unemployment would be reduced significantly.

Mike Mukula (2011) argues that the government should develop policies and implement programmes that can enable youths to employ themselves in career through enterprise creation. Youth should embrace the entrepreneurship drive as it would reduce ignorance that is fueling unemployment in Uganda. The youth should learn how to save thus knowing how to save and invest is important for a successful enterprise and would assist in the reduction of the high youth unemployment problem.

CHAPTER THREE

Methodology

3.0 Overview

This chapter talks about the research design, sampling procedures, sample size, data collection instruments used, procedure and data analysis.

3.1 Research design

The study used a descriptive analytical research design. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used to acquire information on the causes, effects and solutions to the persistent unemployment among youth. This was to enable the researcher to gather a wide range of information required by the objectives of the study

3.2 Sampling procedure or technique

A sample technique was a way of gathering statistical information where few elements or individuals were chosen out of the population to present the whole population. The researcher used a simple random sampling technique where the essence was to allow every member of the population to get an equal opportunity to be included in the study and to reduce biases in selecting samples.

3.3 Sample size

A sample size is a part of a population methodologically selected for purposes of drawing a conclusion about a population and its characteristics (Allan, 1962). In this case therefore, the sample size was made of 50 respondents; amongst who were 30 youths, 15 civil servants, 4 parents and the local council chairperson of Manyanya parish. Youth were involved in the study because they were the main culprits; LC1 Chairperson was selected because he/she is at the forefront in tackling effects of youth unemployment; that is, solving cases of thuggery, substance abuse, burglary, among others. Parents were included because they knew most of the negative activities done by their sons and daughters due to unemployment. Civil servants were also included because they are involved and have concern in youth affairs in the community.

3.4 Data collection and instruments

In order to get reliable and accurate data, the researcher used a questionnaire. The researcher forwarded questions to find out the causes, effects and how unemployment problem could be reduced. The questions were answered by the use of a tick in the provided space/box as well as filling in answers in the dashes provided.

3.5 Procedure

An introduction letter was obtained by the researcher from the university at the Department of Open and Distance Learning where it was used to introduce the researcher to the heads of the community where the study took place. The introductory letter was to seek for permission for the researcher to carry out research in the area.

3.6 Data analysis

The collected data was analyzed manually using tallies and the responses of the subjects were then categorized in frequency counts and score tables with varying percentages calculated and later tabulation method graphs and pie charts were used to present data.

CHAPTER FOUR

Presentation Discussion and Analysis of the findings

4.0 Overview

This chapter mainly deals with presentation, discussion and analysis of findings from the study entitled causes, effects and solutions of unemployment among the youth in Manyanya village

4.1 Demographic characteristics of the respondents

Table 1: Category by sex of the respondents

N = 50

|Sex |Frequency |percentage |

|Male |31 |62 |

|Female |19 |38 |

|Total |50 |100 |

Source: primary data

The table above indicates that more males than females were involved in the study at a percentage of 62% whereas females formed only 38%. There were more male respondents in the study than females because most of the female respondents were active in other tasks, most especially at the market areas, selling small items such as tomatoes and at home doing domestic chores. The male respondents were found either idle or gambling.

Figure 1: Respondents categorized by age

[pic]

The above bar graph indicates that only 12% of the respondents were within the age group of 10-17.Of these, 4% were males and 8% were females.18-30 had the responses of 64% where 40% were males and 24% females. Those in the age group of 30-40 were 24% where 16% were males and 8% were females. The age group of 18-30 had majority response because it was the idlest age group and it was easy to access them for information.

Table 2: Marital status

N = 50

|Marital status |Frequency |Percentage |

|Married |21 |42 |

|Single |28 |56 |

|Divorced |1 |2 |

|Total |50 |100 |

Source: primary data

The above table indicates that majority of the respondents were single (56%). Of these 34% were males and 22% were females. 42% of the respondents were married, where 28% were males and 14% females. In this case, males constituted the biggest category of the married. Only 2% of the respondents were divorced.

Figure 2: Educational level of the respondents

[pic]

The pie chart above shows that most of the respondents had had secondary and tertiary education whereas very few of the respondents had had primary education. These were all summarized with figures as shown in table 3 below:

Table 3: Summary of the educational level of the respondents

N=50

|Level |Frequency |Percentage |

|Primary |8 |16 |

|Secondary |25 |40 |

|Tertiary |17 |34 |

|Total |50 |100 |

4.2 Findings on understanding of unemployment

Table 4: Understanding of unemployment

N=50

|Unemployment |Frequencies |Percentages |

|Being jobless |14 |28 |

|Lacking what to do in return of payment |5 |10 |

|Without a profitable activity |11 |22 |

|Personal or family needs cannot be obtained |1 |2 |

|Willing to work but jobs not available |2 |4 |

|Not sure |17 |34 |

|Total |50 |100 |

Source: primary data

The above table indicates that most of the respondents understood unemployment as a state of being jobless and they formed a percentage of 28%. Those who understood unemployment as lacking what to do in return of payment were 10%.

Some respondents also understood unemployment as a situation where one cannot cater for his or her personal or family needs and these were 2%. Whereas some understood it as a situation where one is willing to work but jobs not available and these were 4%.

Some respondents also argued that unemployment referred to under taking a non profitable activity and these were 22%

4.3 The main Causes of youth unemployment

Table 5: Causes of youth unemployment

N = 50

|Cause |Frequency |Percentage |

|Lack of adequate skills |20 |40 |

|Low levels of Education |11 |22 |

|Limited job opportunities |8 |16 |

|Job selectivity |2 |4 |

|Bad government policies |4 |8 |

| Limited resources | 5 | 10 |

| Total | 50 | 100 |

4.3.1 Low levels of education

The majority of the respondents sighted low levels of education as a cause of youth unemployment (22%) Of these, 16% were males and 6% were females.

4.3.2 Lack of adequate skills

Lack of adequate skills was also sighted as the major cause of youth unemployment and had responses of 40% where 16% were males and 24% females.

4.3.3 Job selectivity

There were also responses on job selectivity as another cause of youth unemployment where about 4% were males and there were no female responses making up a total percentage of 4%.

4.3.4 Bad government policies

Some respondents (8%) also blamed unemployment on bad government policies. Of these, 6% were males and 2% were females. Of the respondents who were questioned, the majority blamed it on the heavy taxes imposed on goods and services, license fees which stopped very many of them from working or running small enterprises in order to come out of the problem of unemployment

4.3.5 Limited job opportunities

The respondents also claim unemployment to be due to the limited job opportunities (16%) of these, 12% were males and 4% were females.

4.3.6 Limited access to resources

Some respondents (10%) also blamed unemployment to be due to limited access to resources. Of these, 6%were males while females formed 4%.

4.4 The main effects of youth unemployment.

Table 6: The main effects of youth unemployment

N = 50

|Effect |Frequency |Percentage |

|Basic needs |13 |26 |

|Poor standards of living |8 |16 |

|High dependency rate |5 |10 |

|Limited access to basic services |4 |8 |

|High crime rate |6 |12 |

|Limited or no access to resources |5 |10 |

|Not sure |9 |18 |

|Total |50 |100 |

Source: primary data

4.4.1 Limited basic needs

The main effect of youth unemployment from the study was limited basic needs. This was singled out by 26% of the respondents where 16% were males and 10% were females.

4.4.2 Poor standards of living

Respondents also singled out poor standards of living as another major effect and the responses were 16% where 12% were males and females were only 4%.

4.4.3 High crime rate

Respondents also blamed unemployment for the increasing crimes that ravage the community where responses were 12%.Of these, 10% were males and females also made up only 2%.

4.4.4 Limited basic services

Eight percent of the respondents also argued that due to unemployment, access to basic services such as education, medical care among others tend to be difficult as they have no any access to finances. Of these, 2% were males and 6% were females.

4.4.5 High Dependency

Some respondents (10%) also argued that high dependency rates are as a result of unemployment where 8% were males whereas females made a percentage of only 2.

4.4.6 No access to resources

Some respondents also blamed unemployment for the limited or no access to resources and these were about 10% where 6% were males and 4% females.

4.5 The main strategies for addressing youth unemployment

Table 7: The main strategies for addressing youth unemployment

|Solution |Frequency |Percentages |

|Government commitment |7 |14 |

|Vocational training |31 |62 |

|Credit provision |10 |20 |

|Ease access to resources |2 |4 |

|Total |50 |100 |

Source: primary data

4.5.1 Government commitment

Of the14% respondents, (8% males and 6% females) argued that if the government put all her efforts like job creation, job security, provision of education among others, the youth unemployment problem in the area would be reduced

4.5.2 Vocational training

Sixty two percent (36% males and 26% females) of the respondents suggested that there should be creation of vocational training institutions where youth can go and acquire skills in various areas ranging from entrepreneurship, professional skills in farming, carpentry, metal work among others.

4.5. 3 Credit provision

Twenty percent of the respondents argued that they should be provided with credits in form of startup capital to begin their enterprises. Of these, 16% were males and only 4% were females.

4.5.4 Ease access to resources

Four percent of the respondents demanded easier access to resources such as land. All these were males.

CHAPTER FIVE

Discussion conclusion and recommendations

5.0 Overview

This chapter presents a discussion, conclusion and recommendation of the study.

5.1 Discussion

5.2 Understanding of unemployment

On the completion of the study, it was realized that most of the respondents understood unemployment as a state of being jobless. This idea is also in line with Obua’s (2009) view who stated unemployment as a state in the society where people who are capable of working happen to be idle or jobless for one reason or another in given period of time.

5.2.3 Causes of youth unemployment

On the completion of the study, most of the respondents argued that low levels of education were the main causes of the high unemployment rate in the community. This view is supported by a Commonwealth Youth Program report (1996) that the youth, coupled with little schooling, are too frequently subjected to a disproportionate burden of unemployment. That in Commonwealth countries, youth unemployment rates are at 30-50 percent or more of the total unemployed. This view is also in agreement with Ogola Soti’s (Oct 1994) view that large proportions of persons with secondary school education also tend to shun low level jobs because of their high expectations of well paying white collar jobs and employers are often reluctant to accept low levels of education, hence remaining totally unemployed.

Respondents argued that lack of adequate skills was another major cause of youth unemployment in the area. Their argument is in line with Trevor Hamilton and Associates (1995) view that even vocational courses do not create jobs; but they simply allocate existing jobs to those with training. That there is a strong possibility that increasingly, young people will be faced with credential inflation because as more people become qualified, the value of those qualifications declines. This argument is also in agreement with Calloway’s (1962) view that the rapid extension of formal education leaves many youth with lack or no skills to do anything at the time of completion of their education.

Respondents also claimed that unemployment was due to the limited job opportunities. Their argument is in line with the New Vision’s (19th May 2010) view that the government should seize opportunities for youths in factories, industries, agricultural projects among others. Their argument also concurs with the CYF’s (2007) view that Uganda requires creating 600,000 jobs every year and that there is need for awareness and building an adequate understanding of issues by the government to enhance youth employment opportunities. That this can be done through entrepreneurial skills development, increased investment in industries, as well as curriculum.

Respondents also argued that bad policies by the government result into youth unemployment. That the government tends to impose heavy taxes on goods and services license fees.Thier argument is also supported by ILOs suggestions that the major causes of youth unemployment were heavy taxes imposed on goods and services and other barriers such as license fees This argument is also in agreement with Lincoln’s (2007) idea that identified that policies like structural adjustment which involves cutting costs, shading labour or freezing public sector wages and cutting employment through cutting public services affects youths so much. He added that governments tend to be excessively bureaucratic which cause unnecessary delay for youths to at least start their own businesses hence remaining unemployed.

5.2.3 Effects of youth unemployment

The findings from the study indicate that due to unemployment, access to basic needs tends to be difficult. Their argument is in line with Kasirye and high foot (2000) view that in most cases youths living in hats, slums and streets come from poor families mostly headed by widows or separated spouses This argument is also in line with UBS’s 2011 view that most of the residents in the community wear rugs and over 67% of the people live on less than a dollar a day where the most affected are youth.

Respondents also agreed that as a result of unemployment, the living standards of most of the people have remained poor. Their idea is supported by the UNFPA state of the world’s population (2005) report that nearly half the world’s population are under the age of 25 (Over 500 million youths). That they live on less than $2 a day; those at work are mainly trapped in low wage, low skill sectors with little chance of anything better or any way out of poverty and are often abused and badly exploited. This is also in line with the NYP’s (2001) view that most of the youth fail to get jobs and end up in slums and on the streets.

Respondents also blamed unemployment for the increasing crime rates that ravage the community every year. Their idea is supported by the Commonwealth Youth Program report (1996) that in an effort to regain manhood, youths may join gangs that fight other gangs or attack ethnic groups who they think are the cause of their unemployment. Their argument was also in agreement with the NYP’s (2001) idea that youth engage in unproductive or anti-social activities like prostitution, thuggery and drug abuse due to idleness. World Bank (2008) also warns that unless Uganda scales up her efforts, the youth will find their way into crime and armed conflict given the challenges they face in the labour market.

Some respondents argued that due to unemployment, access to basic services such as education, medication among others tend to be difficult as. Their argument is supported by Kasirye and highfoot (2000) idea that youth are the most vulnerable groups where majority come from families headed by single parents. Quite often such families are characterized by inadequate incomes to provide basic services such as education, medical care among others This was also in line with Owen’s (2009) view that the implications of unemployment for young people may include poverty which results into limited access to basic services as well as migrations to urban areas which increase pressure on the few urban facilities.

5.2.4 Strategies for addressing youth unemployment

The findings of the study showed that for unemployment to be reduced, the government has to be committed and improve on her policies such as reduction of high taxes imposed as well as removal of licenses. Their argument was in support with ILO’s (2007) suggestions that governments should remove barriers, provide tax breaks and incentives as well as promoting small enterprise development through educational, technical and tertiary institutions This argument is also in agreement with Mike Mukula’s (2011) who argued that the government should develop policies and implement programmes that can enable youths to employ themselves in career through enterprise creation. He urges the youth to embrace the entrepreneurship drive as it would reduce ignorance that is fueling up unemployment in Uganda.

Respondents suggested that there should be creation of vocational training institutions where youths go and acquire skills in various areas ranging from entrepreneurship, carpentry, farm work, among others. Their argument is in agreement with Buganda queen (Sylvia Naginda’s (2010)) appeal to government that it should invest more resources in the vocational sector so that the big unemployment gaps can be reduced. The same argument is in line with Illis (1962) suggestions that there should be establishment of youth clubs all over the country as well as creation of improved youth employment centers. That these would assist in reducing unemployment problem through vocational schools where young person’s can receive theoretical as well as practical training in fields which they have freely chosen.

The study exposed the need to provide startup capital for youth to set up small enterprises of their choice. Their idea is supported by Todaro’s (1997) idea that governments should structure Commercial banks to handle small loan requirements with no collateral and should also be willing to finance small enterprises especially in the informal sector.

5.3 Conclusion

The study was carried out to find out the possible causes of unemployment among the youth. During the study, 50 (fifty) respondents were selected amongst whom were 30 youths, 15 civil servants, 4 parents and the local council chair person of Manyanya of the community. The study utilized mainly a questionnaire as the instrument for data collection.

The study was carried out alongside three major objectives and these were broken down into the following;

To identify the causes of youth unemployment.

To find out the possible effects of unemployment among the youth.

To propose solutions towards youth unemployment.

The study also focused on ideas of other authors and scholars as well as already written reports such as Lincoln (2007), Ogola (1994), Callaway (1971), and CYP (2007) among others.

On the completion of the study, the researcher realized that low levels of education, lack of adequate skills, bad government policies and limited job opportunities were the major causes of youth unemployment. This was according to the findings after the study.

The main effects were; limited basic needs, poor standards of living, high crime rate, limited basic services, high dependency and no access to resource. The main solutions included; government commitment, vocational training credit provision and ease access to resource.

The study concluded that most of the respondents have ever gone to school and very few who never had education but a big proportion of them were all affected by unemployment problem because of their job selectivity.

5.4 Recommendations

Following the conclusions drawn from the study, the researcher makes the following recommendations:

The government should increase social services in education so that each and every one in the village gets access to education. This will assist many people to become literate and acquire knowledge and skills of starting their own gainful activities.

Stakeholders should establish vocational training institutions where the youth can acquire skills in various activities such as carpentry, brick making, and entrepreneurial skills among others.

Youth must be sensitized to be willing to take on any lawful economic activity so long as it is profitable.

The government should review its policies with a view to making them youth-employment friendly

Government should reform education curricula in both secondary and vocational schools to emphasize income generating activities through entrepreneurial skills development, increased investment in industries as well as curriculum to be invested in to emphasize knowledge base.

The government, NGOs and other stakeholders should intervene and access basic services to people at ease. These should include education, medical care among others.

The government should also establish micro-finance institutions in every community where people can go and acquire credit in form of startup capital for their own small businesses.

REFERENCES

Allaher.C.J.(2000).Generation on hold. The coming of age in the late 20thcentury: Stodart:Published by Borowski and .J. Murray.

Allan.M.L. (1962) Basic Ideas for scientific sampling: Birmingum: Heffner publishing company.

Balunzi.J.M. (MP) (2001) Vision for youth in the 21st century a history of gender labour and social development: Kampala: Ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development.

Callaway.A. (1971) “Education, planning and unemployment:Paris:Published by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

Commonwealth Youth Program. (2007)Report on youth unemployment:London: Commonwealth Secretariat

CommonwealthYouth Program. (2007). Young people and society: London: Published by the Commonwealth Secretariat

Illi.H. (1962) Symposium on unemployed youth in inter Africa labor institute: Ibadan: Published on line 14th April 2010

International Labour Organization.(2005).Report on youth unemployment:LosAngeles:American Bar publishers

Leotic.A.(2003) challenges faced by youths: London: Published Youth Charity Fairbridge

Mondo.K. (2010) new vision: Monday 13th September 2010: Kampala: Vision reporter.

Mukula.M. (2011) Daily Monitor: Monday, August 1st 2011: Kampala: posted by Mike Mukula

Museveni.Y.K. (2009) Speech at the International Youth Day celebrations: Luwero: Published by UNFPA Uganda.

Nial.H.(2001) Youth labour markets: Regional report for South, East Asia and the Pacific: Published by World Bank Oct.2006

Ogola, G.S. (19940 New Vision: October. 2nd 1994: Tororo By Kigaya. M

Okwakol.J. (2009). New Vision: Wednesday 12th Aug, 2009: Luwero: Published by Cyprian Musoke.

Owen.A.(2009) “Gender and Development:London:Published by the Commonwealth Secretariat

Sekamanya.M. (2009). Daily Monitor: Thursday April 22nd 2009: Mukono: Published by T. Ogwang.

Uganda Bureau of Statistics. (2001). Report on youth unemployment: Entebbe: Published by Hajji Hatibu.

United Nations Population Fund (2005). Report on youth unemployment: New York: United Nations

World Bank. (2008). Warning to Uganda on youth unemployment: Kampala: Published by Rosebell Kagumire, Uganda Multi-Media Jonurlist.

APPENDIX A: QUESTIONNAIRE

I am a student of Makerere University undertaking a study on the causes leading to high rates of unemployment, the effects of this problem as well as solutions that can be put forward to address the situation. You are kindly requested to fill this questionnaire exhaustively and as honestly as possible to enable me achieve the objectives of this study

The information provided is strictly for academic purposes and will be treated with maximum confidentiality.

Tick the most appropriate answer

Sex

Male female

Age bracket

10-17 18-30

Resident of Manyanya parish

Yes No

Marital status

Married Single Divorced

Education level

Primary secondary tertiary

Others specify …………………………………………………

What do you understand by unemployment?

………………………………………………………………………

a) Do you know what causes it?

Yes No

b) If “Yes”, Please explain…………………………………………………………………

Does unemployment exist in this area?

Yes No

Which of these do you believe are the causes of youth unemployment in this area?

Lack of skills job selectively unwillingness to work

Others specify……………………………………………………………………….

Is it correct to say that most of the youths in this area unemployment?

Strongly Agree Agree not sure

Disagree Strongly Disagree

a) Is it true that rural-urban migration also contributes to unemployment?

Yes No

b) If “Yes”, how………………………………………………………………………..

a) Does unemployment affect you as a person?

Yes No

If “yes,” please explain……………….................................................

13 a) Does unemployment have an effect on society?

Yes No

b) If yes, please explain…………………………………………....................

a) Does unemployment in this area affect the educated and uneducated in the same way?

Yes No

b) If “Yes”, how………………………………………………………………………..

a) Would you blame unemployment for the rising cases of theft and other crimes in this area?

Yes No

b) If “Yes”, Please explain……………………………………………………………

a) Do you think problems caused by unemployment can be reduced?

Yes No

b) If “Yes”, which of these are the most appropriate ways of fighting unemployment?

Vocational training credit provision

Population control ensuring social order

Others specify…………………………………………………………………………….

a) Is reducing unemployment a responsibility of the youth themselves?

Yes No

b) If “No,” please explain………………………………………………………………

Is reducing unemployment among the youth a responsibility of the state?

Yes No

Do families and religious institution have a role in reducing unemployment among youth in this area?

Yes No

If Yes,” how……………………………………………………………………………

a) Can youth clubs help in fighting unemployment problem among the youth in this area?

Yes No

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