Ageism
"We want you [White Farmers] to stay and to farm well in this country. This is the policy of the government. WHAT THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS IS EXPERIENCE, and I don't care where it comes from. I will take it with both hands." Mzee Jomo Kenyatta addressing white farmers in Nakuru (Aug 12th 1963)
I found this article quite interesting: http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=39&newsid=25179
The author some very valid points. Just because an individual is 55 years plus, does not mean that he is useless to society, he/she continues to hold a great repository of knowledge and expertise in his particular field, this is particularily so in the public sector. If we are to be a nation that believes in non-discrimination, then we must not discriminate against those who are 55 years or older. As the author points out, African culture is very respectful of elders and used to rely on them for advice on a myriad of issues. As long as a public servant is competent, they should be allowed to work, until that point when they are no longer useful.
On the otherhand, I believe that the government should creat active training programs that would allow younger civil servants to work under more experienced practitioners, and develop the skills necessary to take over the jobs of the older individuals. In the 60's and 70's, Kenya undertook a gradual and sytematic "Africanization" of the economy, and I think it served us pretty well. We should also embark on a gradual and deliberate "Younginization" of our civil service. We should not do it in one revolutionary sweep, but use the older civil servants as mentors, to train the younger, promising civil servants.
I found this article quite interesting: http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=39&newsid=25179
The author some very valid points. Just because an individual is 55 years plus, does not mean that he is useless to society, he/she continues to hold a great repository of knowledge and expertise in his particular field, this is particularily so in the public sector. If we are to be a nation that believes in non-discrimination, then we must not discriminate against those who are 55 years or older. As the author points out, African culture is very respectful of elders and used to rely on them for advice on a myriad of issues. As long as a public servant is competent, they should be allowed to work, until that point when they are no longer useful.
On the otherhand, I believe that the government should creat active training programs that would allow younger civil servants to work under more experienced practitioners, and develop the skills necessary to take over the jobs of the older individuals. In the 60's and 70's, Kenya undertook a gradual and sytematic "Africanization" of the economy, and I think it served us pretty well. We should also embark on a gradual and deliberate "Younginization" of our civil service. We should not do it in one revolutionary sweep, but use the older civil servants as mentors, to train the younger, promising civil servants.
posted by Githush at
9:40 AM
2 Comments:
hi there tanye...like the blogger and especially the blogger title. i can just imagine americans pronouncin or thinkin what an outstandin name. ha
i'll keep readin
Amen to that!!
It is not just Kenya that ignores, mistreats, abuses and undervalues older people.
One way to change this would be to introduce age awareness in schools. Hopefully this would help to shake up some of the age related myths and stereotypes.
Oh...the name of your blog had me laughing all day.
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