The Contribution of Tertiary Education on Youth Employment in Uganda

by

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would take this opportunity to thank my research supervisor, family and friends for their support and guidance without which this research would not have been possible.

DECLARATION

I, [type your full first names and surname here], declare that the contents of this dissertation/thesis represent my own unaided work, and that the dissertation/thesis has not previously been submitted for academic examination towards any qualification. Furthermore, it represents my own opinions and not necessarily those of the University.

Signed __________________ Date _________________

ABSTRACT

The main objective is to try and understand, give recommendations whether by improving the tertiary institutions or revising the current curriculums will have an impact on unemployment, inequality in income and reduce poverty to the ever going number of frustrated graduates who frequently demonstrate in Uganda's capital, Kampala; and most of all led to economic development of the country. The research has adopted mixed methodology approach for indentifying and obtaining the experience and opinion of students after graduating from tertiary educational programs. Furthermore, through extensive review of literature, the research analyses different studies in order to highlight the impact of and contribution of tertiary education in reducing youth unemployment in Uganda and also how it helps in developing human capital. The study states tertiary education has played a significant role in developing and acquiring this type of knowledge. However, majority of the knowledge developed in the leading and developed countries have a very intensive and serious attitude towards skill development and enhancement, and therefore it has become insufficient to survive for the developing countries with having a minimum.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTII

DECLARATIONIII

ABSTRACTIV

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

Introduction1

Research Background3

Problem Statement6

Objective of the Study7

General Objective8

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW9

Introduction9

The Contributions of Education to Human Capital Formation11

Tertiary Education12

Higher Education in Africa12

Uganda and Ugandan Education Today16

World Bank and Education in Developing countries20

Issues in Higher Education in Africa22

Youth Unemployment23

Factors leading to increase in Unemployment27

Impact of Unemployment on Youth29

Relation between Higher Education and Employment31

Intellectual Capital -Entrepreneurship32

Theoretical Framework34

Human Capital Theory34

CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY38

Introduction to the Research Methodology38

Research Design38

Research Method39

Data Collection39

Literature Search39

Questionnaire Survey40

Data Sources43

Primary Data43

Secondary Method44

Research Instrument45

Participants46

Sampling46

Data Analysis46

Quantitative Analysis46

Ethics Consideration47

Informed Consent48

Confidentiality48

Research Limitations49

Reliability49

Validity50

Conclusion51

CHAPTER 4: FINDINGS, ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION53

Survey Results53

Survey Analysis62

Discussion65

Benefits of Tertiary Education and Vocational Education66

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION71

REFERENCES74

APPENDIX86

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Introduction

This Chapter seeks to outline relevance of tertiary education in Uganda and impact on graduates to have a entrepreneur mind set to enable them survive in this ever changing job market.

According to a World Bank report n.d, “advance and enhanced skills and knowledge are significant elements in the standard of living and economic growth of the country as the learning outcomes are transferred to services and goods, develop a strong civil society, a better and attractive climate for investments, and a greater institutional capability is developed for effective public sector. The main elements of this transformation is equitable, merit based, efficient and good quality research and tertiary education.” Lauer (2003) state that the level of education attained is also a critical factor in determining how employable an individual depending on the skills which employers in the labor market ...