More needs to be done to ensure that those being educated in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region are prepared for the workplace.

This is the conclusion reached by a new study, which indicates some people are emerging from institutions without the rights skills to enter employment, the Gulf Daily News reports.

Carried out by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), the research suggested this is a contributory factor towards the high numbers of young individuals without jobs in parts of the region, with stronger emphasis needed on science and mathematics.

"Education systems struggle to attract and retain good teaching staff and use old pedagogies with traditional models of learning, which leave students poorly equipped to function in more modern knowledge-based economies," PwC advisory partner in the Middle East Sally Jeffrey said.

The Khaleej Times recently quoted UAE labor minister Saqr Ghosh as stressing the need for good quality employment opportunities in the Middle East, noting that joblessness and social justice have contributed towards civil unrest in the region.

Posted by Lee Thrace