Rethinking the Value of Education amid the Economic Crisis
The Experiences of University Graduates
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22043597 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Pfuurai Chimbunde (0000-0002-3423-2163, University of Zululand, corresponding author), Byron A Brown (0000-0002-6584-6635, University of Zululand) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 15 |
| Issue | 12 |
| Pages | 1661 |
| Publication date | 2025-12-10 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Education Sciences (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2227-7102 • E-ISSN: 2227-7102 |
| Publisher | MDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT) |
| DOI | 10.3390/educsci15121661 |
| OpenAlex | W4417193578 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 24 |
Even though many nations invest heavily in education to boost economic growth and development, evidence continues to show that university graduates struggle to find employment and eke out a living, obscuring our understanding of the true value of education. Comprehending the experiences of university graduates can assist in determining the support needed for their personal and economic growth. However, research in Zimbabwe on the experiences of graduates after university education is limited. This study explores the experiences of 14 university graduates, drawn from one university in Zimbabwe, who were in their fifth year after graduating. Data were generated from semi-structured interviews and analysed through the lens of credentialism theory. Findings revealed a significant discrepancy between education and employment wherein the value of education is being re-evaluated by people, with many questioning the assumption that higher education guarantees job opportunities. The disconnect highlights the need for policymakers to reassess the way education is delivered and aligned with labour market needs. The study proposes that universities should draw insights from industry leaders when crafting their curriculum and determining enrolment figures. The research extends scholarship on the interplay between education and employment, thereby guiding educational policy formulation in developing countries
Curriculum · Economics education · Education economics · Education policy · Higher education · Higher education policy · Scholarship · Higher Education and Employability · Higher Education Governance and Development · Higher Education Research Studies
The International Encyclopedia of Higher Education Systems and Institutions
Zimbabwe’s Economy
Single Case Research Methodology
Credentials, Signals, and Screens
No Connections, No Employment
Education and Social Mobility
Factors contributing to the (un)fulfilment of employment aspirations of recent Chilean university graduates
A Historical Review of the Role of Education
You never get a livelihood out of going to school’
Young people not in Employment, Education or Training (Neet) in Sub-Saharan Africa
Bridging gaps, building futures
Post-colonial educational reforms in Zimbabwe
Doing Good and Doing Well
| Highly cited | No |
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