Introduction
In recent years, social media in Africa has become a favourite breeding ground for influencers and pseudo-entrepreneurs who propagate corrosive rhetoric that is spreading like wildfire: “School is useless,” “Diplomas are useless,” “Look for money, not education.” This rhetoric, while appealing to some young people disillusioned by unemployment, are dangerous and counterproductive. They risk diverting an entire generation from the path of knowledge and compromising the continent’s future. It is time to sound the alarm and remind people of the inestimable value of education.
The Illusion of Success Without Education
We glorify the careers of self-made billionaires, we cite figures like Steve Jobs or Mark Zuckerberg, conveniently forgetting the favourable contexts that forged their rise. We fail to point out that these exceptions are not the rule, and that a society is not built on isolated anecdotes. Far from these populist and simplistic discourses, the African reality is quite different: a continent with an immense need for doctors, engineers, teachers, and researchers.
A Shared Responsibility: Governments and Society
If these discourses resonate so strongly, it is also because the facts seemingly support them. What can we say to these young graduates who are wandering around unemployed? What can we say to these families who have ruined themselves to provide an education for their children, without seeing the slightest return on their investment? African governments bear a heavy share of the responsibility. Their outdated educational policies, disconnected from economic realities, leave thousands of young people behind every year. Society as a whole must also pull itself together. Education must no longer be seen solely as a passport to salaried employment, but as a lever for transformation, a tool for emancipation and personal development.
Education: An Investment for the Future
Contrary to what these influencers claim, education is not a waste of time or money. It is a long-term investment, both for individuals and for nations. Countries that have achieved successful economic and social development, such as South Korea and Singapore, have done so by investing massively in education. There is an urgent need to rethink training, adapt curricula to the needs of the job market, promote technical professions, and encourage structured entrepreneurship.
Conclusion
Africa cannot afford to sacrifice its education on the altar of mere rhetoric. School and diplomas are not useless. It is by investing in education that we can develop the leaders, innovators, and citizens our continent needs to thrive. Let us not allow irresponsible rhetoric to divert our young people from the path to knowledge and lasting success. Africa’s future depends on it.
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