A class in session                      P.Courtesy

I was sharing with my business partner, Daniel Mumbeere of Uganda's Urban TV, who has had occasion to interview the top entrepreneurs in Uganda, and all entrepreneurs tell him that the country’s education system does not produce the best people for the jobs, and that they have to re-train them, spending time, money, and skills, which could be better utilised, were they fully baked.

The education system, according to the entrepreneurs, tells the students that 51% is acceptable, that 75% is good, and that 80% is excellent. But this is a great lie, and the mother of all other lies.

The truth, in the real world, and remember, we are preparing them for the real world, is that, it is either 100%, or the client does not come to you. And then, for the client to come back, it must be 110%.

So, an education system that grades on 50%, 57%, and 80% is lying to our students that a mere pass is good, and that a mere B is good, and that an A is from 80%. We must change this education grading system. There can only be two grades, those who pass, and those who fail.

The education grading system should be amended, so that, students either pass or fail. Then we do all we can, to make sure they pass, and if they fail, we tell them in real life, failure happens, and if it does happen, you miss your rental payment, lag on your bills, go hungry, and pass on the vacation, because the clients will not pay you, the customers will not buy from you, and the partners will not work with you.

It is okay to fail, or to pass, by but you can only fail, or pass, there are no stages, degrees, grades of failing; it is just that, failure. And there are no categories, classes, or shades of passing, you just pass.

Every employer reading this pose knows what I mean. They do not want an employee who can operate the machine with 80% efficiency. They do not want a salesman who can meet 80% of targets. They do not want a receptionist who guarantees an 80% level of customer service and satisfaction. Worse still, no customer or client wants 90%. They all want 100%. They all want the best. They all deserve the best.

If we do not change our grading system, we will continue producing people who are afraid of making mistakes, and worse still, people who think that 51% is a pass, is good, is average, is allowed. Terrible!

By Ojijo Pascal 

The author [email protected] is a volunteer career mentor, business coach and investment clubs trainer. He is also an author of 31 books, webprenuer, and expert in personal branding, business strategy, and legal consultant.