Chad youth face bleak future due to poor health and education
Young Chadians are seen as a burden, with public services in health and education increasingly outsourced to the private sector.
Chad's youth, comprising 60% of the active population, are largely overlooked in public policy, despite being lauded for their resilience. Instead of being viewed as a potential asset, this demographic is often treated as a social burden, with their future jeopardized by a lack of adequate health and education. Many young people are falling prey to drug abuse, recruitment by terrorist groups and traffickers, or dying in perilous journeys across deserts and seas.
The health of young Chadians is a significant concern, with widespread issues including infections like STIs and tuberculosis, malnutrition, and psychosomatic disorders, diabetes, and hypertension linked to stress. Education is also suffering, as the state, overwhelmed, has indirectly outsourced these critical services to the private sector. Without effective oversight, private institutions are providing substandard services, often of lower quality than what public facilities would offer.
This shift towards private provision means that schools, clinics, and hospitals are operating as commercial entities, substituting for the state's role. This trend has extended into security and even justice, indicating a broader withdrawal of public services. The consequence is a generation facing diminished opportunities due to compromised health and education, impacting their ability to thrive in a knowledge-based global landscape.
Why it mattersYoung Chadians are affected by the poor quality of health and education services, limiting their future prospects.