Why wait for the youths to go astray?

Dear Editor,
On the surface, it is good to read about programmes of amelioration for any aspect of society. The news unfolding is that the Local Government Ministry and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) office in Guyana signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), in order to commence a two-year capacity building programme for some of the youths in Guyana.
The US$ 150,000 programme is expected to provide training to select youths in Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six and 10, and will have the support of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.
Now here are some facts to really consider: First, according to UNDP Country Representative Khadija Musa, this project is being implemented at a time, where more than 60 per cent of the population are made up of youths. They really do form a large contingent. This is a huge number. However, I am a little puzzled. Of the 60 per cent, how many are without a high school education? To me this is significant.
Editor, I always believe that ‘prevention is better than cure.’ Why must people wait until many have become almost incorrigibly askew, before intervening? Guyana has an education system that caters for the prevention of wanton living among youths. If measures are put into place, and schooling is enforced, then I am sure that many of Guyana’s social problems will be solved. Schooling must not go to waste.
This project in mind also aims “… to address the challenges of inadequate youth participation in governance and the persistent social changes, which deprive them from fulfilling their rights, by providing the youth with the opportunity to prepare for leadership roles within their communities.” Here again it comes back to the basics.
Many of these ‘late aspiring youths’ are at a serious disadvantage.
They have missed out on an education, and they only embarrass themselves every time they open their mouths to speak. It is indeed an utter shame.
I have been so put off by many religious and political leaders, who would have been better off had they remained quiet and not so much the upstart. (Nah) they acceded to leadership, and speaking and writing messed them up.
Speech and writing are absolutely fundamental. This kind of training comes up during the tenure up to high school.
So my contention is that any one aspiring to lead must master these skills. So why not have CXC/ GCE classes for these people. The education/ qualification acquired hereby will also serve in the wider society. So yes, many have erred, but they can be redeemed.
However, I vote for these willing youths to be enrolled in a good educational programme that can lead to at least passes in CXC/ GCE subjects.

Yours truly,
John Hagry-Saul