Unemployment is rapidly increasing in Nepal, and jobless students are a significant part of the issue. Many graduates struggle to find jobs in their field due to a mismatch between their education and industry demands. They often end up in unrelated fields, unable to fully utilize their skills and knowledge. To address this, Nepal needs to create more job opportunities and ensure that students acquire skills relevant to what companies require. This would help reduce frustration among young Nepalese and better align educational outcomes with industry needs.
What are the main challenges faced by jobless students in Nepal?
The main challenges contributing to jobless students in Nepal are outdated education systems and lack of Job Vacancies. Graduates often find themselves in positions unrelated to their expertise due to underemployment, while the emphasis on STEM fields pushes many to seek opportunities abroad.
Additionally, the problem gets worse because many jobless students in Nepal don’t have the right skills for available jobs, and there aren’t enough opportunities for them to start their businesses. This makes it hard for young people to find good jobs in Nepal. To fix this, we need to change what students learn in school, encourage more people to start businesses, and invest in industries here to make more jobs. That way, jobless students can use their skills better and find work they’re good at.
Employment opportunities for jobless students
Nepal, with a population of 26.5 million and 63.7% under 30, faces a significant employment challenge. The youth unemployment rate (ages 15-29) stands at 19.4%, compared to 2.7% for the overall population. Annually, over 400,000 young people enter the labor force, highlighting the urgent need for job creation.
Jobless students in Nepal typically aim for either government or private sector positions. Government jobs are highly coveted for their benefits, such as paid leave, pensions, and job security, but are extremely competitive. Conversely, private companies, though compliant with government regulations, demand high skill levels which many students lack, limiting their employment opportunities.
Students thoughts to Study Abroad
A lot of jobless students in Nepal are planning to study abroad because of many obstacles they faced here. Problems such as lack of specialized programs, research, poor quality education, inadequate employment opportunities and so on. They are not given enough chances to learn and sharpen their skills. Limited opportunities in their home country has led them to leave their loved ones and start a new life abroad.
Studying abroad is a transformative experience that allows students to search into the culture and allure of a foreign nation. It offers a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in a brand-new environment, with diverse perspectives, customs, and activities to explore. This exposure broadens horizons, not just academically, but also in terms of personal growth and development.
The international setting provides access to a wider range of career opportunities and educational experiences, enriching one’s resume and expanding professional networks. Moreover, studying abroad exposes students to new cultures and experiences, fostering personal growth and expanding career opportunities. It cultivates independence, resilience, and a global perspective, enriching lives both academically and personally.
Ways to medicate the problem
For the betterment of the existing educational system, the government should work on many learning platforms like promoting self-employment and entrepreneurship, direct employment generating programs, activities of the Youth Self-employment Fund and so on. Serious problems like unemployment and underemployment should be solved.
There is a practice of traditional education in Nepal. Traditional methods use repetition and memorization of information to teach students. It should be replaced with modern education which focuses not only on outstanding courses in Commerce, Science and Arts but also aims to promote critical thinking, life skills, value education, analytical skills, and decision-making skills for students.
There should be change in course structure in schools and colleges. Changing course structure by proper integration can increase the critical thinking of students. Furthermore, the government should include practical skills, project test learnings, and focus on soft skills that can help jobless students in Nepal to sustain in the job market.
Conclusion
In Nepal, jobless students face challenges due to an outdated education system and limited job openings. Many study for years only to end up in jobs for which they’re overqualified. Some students go abroad for better education and opportunities, leaving their families behind. To address this, Nepal should modernize its education system to align with industry needs, increase job opportunities, and support small businesses. This approach could help retain talented youth and foster successful careers domestically.
Here’s the podcast by Consult Nepal on joblessness among students. It covers why many grads can’t find work and why studying abroad is a popular choice. Listen to learn how updating education and increasing job opportunities can help keep young talent in Nepal.