School Is Not The Enemy

in the past, people didn't drop out of school just because they felt it was cool, it was mainly as a result of hardship or ignorance on the part of some parents or guardians. In recent years, we have seen a lot of young people who have both the economic means and brains to finish school abruptly quit because they feel it is the new cool.

Recently, we have seen the idea of dropping out of school being glamorised, making people who are in school trying to better themselves feel like they are doing the wrong thing. It looks like the best way to promote yourself or your business is to say you dropped out of school. There are so many role models and mentors to choose from too. Then again is it the best way to go?

I have met people who have nothing good to say about education, they also have a long list of successful dropouts who they use to buttress their points . Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, Richard Branson etc. Egbon, did they drop out from your school or at your level, do you have the same opportunities ? Why do you only see the successful ones? Most street sweepers, janitors and other people who do the type of jobs you will never agree to do are also dropouts. Let me remind you that they also out-number the Zuckerbergs and Gates.

Everybody has a choice make, if you choose to dropout of school, that is fine but don't start campaigning for everyone to join you. Passing this message to the younger generation is not cool. School teaches you that if you fail, you still have a chance to go back, work harder and succeed which is applicable to every venture. These anti-education campaigns that make students feel that once you fail a course, then you don't belong in the classroom but on the "streets" is wrong on every level. What if you leave school and the next thing you jump into fails, what will you do?

Going to school doesn't always mean you will end up successful, but it increases your chances. I know the current economic situation and high levels of unemployment makes dropping out look like a good option, trust me it is not. The value of education cannot be overemphasised. Even your  dropout role models didn't quit school as early as you think, even those who did have gone back to take courses to improve themselves.

Dear students both home and abroad don't allow anyone make you feel like you are doing the wrong thing by being in school. Those of you abroad, I'm sure people have tried to get in your head by telling you that you are wasting money considering the high exchange rates. I know people have asked you who masters 'epp' and told you the money you have spent would have started a big business. Biko ignore them, your greatest investment is yourself.

These days, nobody needs to dropout of school because a course doesn't suit his /her capabilities or not what they want to do with their lives. We have moved from the times when it was either medicine or law, there is a wide range of courses to choose from. There are also courses for people who want to be entrepreneurs.

Lastly, school is not a waste of your time, everything good takes time to achieve. Everyone wants to be a millionaire fast, but leaving school is not a guarantee that it will happen overnight. Please stay in school, you can have a legit side hustle if you want but by all means stay in school. There are so many successful dropouts, but remember that the unsuccessful ones out-number them.

if they can stay in school, why would you drop out?

 Adanna Elechi