The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) has said that though President Akufo-Addo, has contributed massively to improving the TVET ecosystem, the sector continues to face serious challenges.
According to the education think tank, the Technical and Vocational Education and Training in Ghana continued to suffer from inadequate funding to lack of gainful employment for TVET graduates.
In a statement reacting to President Akufo-Addo’s State of the Nation Address, copied to a1radioonline.com, the think tank, noted that, unlike general education, TVET was designed to train students with specific skills for industrial purposes, hence government should adequately equip the institutions.
The Lead Fellow, and Education and Social Transformation Team, Nii Armah Addy explained that for government to successfully succeed in its quest to make TVET attractive for all and sundry, then it must shift its mind.
“Government has to make TVET attractive to the point where it will become a choice and not an option for failed students who cannot pursue grammar education, with a clear focus on employment after completion of training, whiles prioritizing skills with higher industry demand.”
He added that, “…again government should elevate its touted commitments of TVET beyond the provision of classrooms to an extensive focus on well-equipped workshops to enable students to have practical skills. We also propose that a percentage of the government’s vocational and technical contracts be awarded to TVET institutions to enable trainees to undertake full-scale industrial production whiles generating revenue for the institutions.”
Touching on how government can make the TVET attractive, Mr. Addy opined that more steps ought to be taken by the government for effective distributions of resources for technical institutions.
“For TVET to flourish, the government needs to take deliberate steps to improve TVET instructors training, establish and ensure access to continuous professional development to enhance quality and adherence to industry standards. Unlike general education, TVET is designed to train students with specific skills for industry. Therefore, the institutions must be adequately equipped with the tools needed to ensure a seamless transition from training to the world of work. Technical Universities must live up to their name by ensuring that a minimum of 60% of their course offerings is TVET related.”
He added that, “President announced the distribution of over two hundred thousand laptops to teachers. This is laudable to the extent that it will improve teacher efficiency. However, a mixed approach of in-person and virtual instruction has become a reality of life due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We call upon the government not to limit the comprehensive overhaul of the infrastructure needed for effective in-person and virtual teaching and learning to the distribution of laptops to teachers. Other components like reliable internet access, revised instructional materials and student laptops all need to be comprehensively accounted for, to achieve a tangible impact and ensure that students from underprivileged backgrounds have equal opportunity to achieve their full potential.”
Source: a1radioonline.com|101.1 MHz|Moses Apiah|Ghana
