The rising number of out-of-school youths is a ticking time bomb for our economy because a workforce lacking technical and critical thinking skills will struggle to compete globally, ultimately deepening the cycle of poverty. When young people are left without education or clear economic prospects, they become increasingly vulnerable to radicalization and criminal recruitment, which directly undermines our social stability. While parents and community leaders play a vital role in safeguarding their children, it is unrealistic to expect them to solve a systemic crisis without robust government intervention. The state must take primary responsibility for securing our learning environments and providing inclusive, affordable pathways for these youths, as community-led initiatives can only succeed when backed by secure infrastructure and sound national policy. Addressing this is not just about classrooms, but about investing in our collective future before the cost of inaction becomes irreversible.