Why most graduates cannot write application letters

By Vivian Agaba and Martin Kitubi

When shortlisting candidates for job interviews, most organisations look at how well one has written the application letter. A well written application letter will earn the employer's initial trust in the job seeker and prompt them to call the applicant for an interview.

On the other hand a badly written application letter ends up in prospective employer's rubbish bin sealing your fate as far as that job is concerned. Grace Magara, director of National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC), says many graduates in Uganda including those with masters degrees do not know how to write good application letters, which could be hindering them from getting good jobs.

"We have many graduates including master's degree graduates who cannot write effective application letters when applying for jobs. But you cannot blame them. It is the education system, which has been only equipping leaners with theoretical education without practical skills," Magara said.

"The literacy competencies are low even in local languages and the problem starts at lower education levels and goes on until the higher institutions of learning. We need to follow the right principles of teaching that involves giving learners theoretical and practical skills," she said.

She was speaking during the official launch of the Educate Wakiso Community Unit workshop held at Educate offices in Kibuli, a Kampala suburb on Friday.

It was attended by teachers from Wakiso district. Educate is a skills-based non-profit organisation, which works with different schools, equipping teachers and learners with skills to start up own businesses.

The former Wakiso district councillor in charge of finance, Norman Ssemwanga urged teachers to be innovative and create supplementary sources of income to their salaries.

"As teachers, you need to start side businesses to supplement on your salary. Salary may never be enough, but when you have a side business, you are good to go. But do not stick to one business, if you start a business and it is not working out, try another one," Ssemwanga advised.

He called for evaluation and reviewing of the national curriculum saying: "Our education system is known more for producing ‘A' grades than practical skills. A big number of youth with practical skills would be a huge base for job creation, but we are still producing job seekers. That is why the dependence burden and unemployment are still high in the country," he added.