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24.03.2013 General News

Government to revamp technical and vocational institutes

By GNA
Professor Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang, Minister of EducationProfessor Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang, Minister of Education
24.03.2013 LISTEN

Professor Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang, Minister of Education, says government is committed to revamp the Technical and Vocational Institutes, to meet the challenges of the global world.

She said as a result, the Executive has sourced a Chinese facility to help rehabilitate 10 technical institutes.

Prof Agyemang made this known in a speech read on her behalf at the 95th anniversary celebration of Asuansi Technical Institute in the Abura Asebu -Kwmankese District of the Central Region.

The celebration which was attended by traditional rulers, heads of institutions and a cross section of the public was o the theme: “Quality Technical and Vocational Education in Ghana: a Pre-requisite for National Development.”

The minister also announced that an Israeli and Canadian intervention has been sourced to upgrade 19 newly absorbed Technical Institutes, while plans are under way to start the operationalisation of competency based training in such institutes.

Prof Agyemang noted that although government had put in place many positive interventions to give technical and vocational training the desired recognition and upgrading, the expected contributions from stakeholders are not the best.

According to her, a recent county report on Technical Vocational and Education (TVET) Training delivery in Ghana as facilitated by the African Development Bank indicated two negative areas concerning the school system, which are poor quality instructors and poor quality management.

She said the situation was also captured by a German project and Ghana skills Development Initiative.

Prof Agyemang explained that the provision of best infrastructure and facilities without the corresponding healthy management strategies as well as skilful and knowledgeable instructors and teachers would only become wasted scarce resources.

Prof Kwabena Frimpong Boateng, Former Chief Executive at Korle-Bu Cardiothoracic Centre called on the government to recognise the important role teachers play in the development of the human resource base of the country and provide them with their needs to avoid labour disputes.

He said educational pursuit is useless if it does not help to solve national problems.

Prof Frimpong, who was the guest speaker, said the time had come for people to disabuse their minds that TVET was meant for the academically weak.

He said much importance and support should be given to technical schools to enable them train many people in the technical skills.

Mr Joshua Sagoe, Principal of the Institute said the school had over the years contributed immensely to national development by producing craftsmen, technicians, engineers, architects who are found in industries and commerce nationwide.

He said the school is faced with problems like poor access road, lack of staff bungalows, dormitories, dinning and assembly hall, classrooms and potable water and called on the government and the old students to assist reverse the situation.

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