Corps Members Offered CDS Opportunity with 'What's Next Africa' Initiative for Empowering Secondary Students

Mrs Bukola Bakare, a representative of "What's Next Africa," during lectures on Monday, 28th of August, emphasised the importance of equipping secondary school students with skills and knowledge beyond formal education while also highlighting the role of Corps Members in their various PPA.

She explained "What's Next" as an initiative that addresses the pivotal question of "What's next?" after secondary education. Noting that over 8 million students took the SSCE and JAMB exams between 2020-2022, with approximately 85% gaining admission into tertiary institutions, Mrs Bakare revealed that the initiative is a response to the lack of training of secondary school students. The program focuses on three primary sectors: finance, manufacturing (processing and packaging), and agriculture. 

Myschoolnews gathered that by partnering with others, the initiative aims to recruit and train trainers who will ultimately shape the future personalities of the students.

"What's Next Africa" aims to ensure that secondary school students have the necessary support and guidance to make informed decisions about their future. Corps Members serving in Osun State will have the opportunity to be actively involved in the program, making it part of their Community Development Service (CDS). 

The "What's Next" workshop, an interactive one-day program, will assist secondary school students in answering crucial questions such as which tertiary institution to choose and the value of trade skills if admission is not attained. The students will also be encouraged to document their progress in the "What's Next" workbook, providing a valuable resource for their future career path.

Addressing the Corps Members, it was emphasised that personal development comes before community development. The goal is to provide the necessary resources and training to equip volunteers for the projects. Volunteers will receive additional training to enhance their skills in mentoring and guiding students effectively. This will enable them to become better individuals in society while equipping them with the confidence to speak and behave appropriately.