The Catholic Bishop of the Damongo Diocese, Most Rev. Paul Peter Yelezuome Angkyier, has called on Ghanaians, particularly students in the country, to wholeheartedly embrace Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
According to the Catholic Bishop entrepreneurship in any society was a sign of progress, hence, the need to prioritise TVET in Ghana.
He was of the conviction that TVET is the only solution to the overwhelming unemployment and balance of trade deficit issues in the country.
He made the call at Bole Saint Kizito Vocational / Technical School on Saturday June 8, 2024 as the school celebrates its 20th anniversary where he delivered the keynote address.
He charged the students to use the knowledge and skills acquired through TVET into setting up businesses in order to help in the growth and development of the nation.
He said over the years,the TVET sector has suffered an image crisis over public perception of being the refuge of students who are not academically endowed which he said shouldn’t be like that.
The Catholic Bishop expressed concern of residents of Bole showing less interest in TVET education.
According to him, the nation needed professional technical men and women to help with industrialization, “and TVET students were our best bet for it, hence, you are not at the wrong place, be proud of where you are currently, because you are the hope and glory of this country.” he encouraged the students.
“Again, the country needs technical and vocational entrepreneurs who will set up businesses in the country and employ people, and the technical and vocational training you will get here will make you do so for us.
Speaking at the Anniversary the Principal of the School Rev. Bro. Anaclatus Tinper, said In the second week of January 2004, the St. Kizito’s Vocational/Technical School was formally opened and
started classes with Mr. Adams Korica as a day to day supervisor but reporting to the Parish Priest.
The theme for the Anniversary was 20 Years of Holistic, Quality Training of the Youth; its Prospects, challenges and the Way Forward.
Rev. Bro. Anaclatus, noted that over the years the school is facing some challenges and these are some infrastructure gap of the school as it marks 20 years today.
Despite chalking successes for the past years,the Principal noted that the school is bedevilled with a myraid of challenges and appealed to stakeholders for a support.
He mentioned lack of library block, computer laboratory, hostel accommodation for the girls in the school lack of accommodation for staff inadequate training materials for students, and lack of fence wall and among others.
The school started with 10 students in 2004 but now has a total number of 83 students comprising 74 boys and 8 girls.
TVET is a form of education and training, which provides knowledge and skills in occupations in various sectors of the economy and social life. This is seen as the prevailing aspect of education across the globe and many countries are embracing it.
The primary purpose is to equip people with the Technical and Professional skills needed for socioeconomic and industrial development of the country.
TVET is also aimed at training people for self-employment so that the overwhelming unemployment rate will be reduced.
Source :yagbonradioonline
