Isaac Akwetey Koforidua
4 November 2008
The Director for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Mr. Asamoah Duodu, has stressed on the importance for leaders of the Africa continent, to focus their educational priorities on TVET.
Quoting from the 2002 United Nations (UN) Bonn Declaration of International Experts on TVET, he said since education was considered the key to effective development strategies, technical and vocational education must be the master key that can alleviate poverty, promote peace, conserve the environment, improve the quality of life, and help achieve sustainable development. He averred that even though the challenge to accept that TVET was expensive to run, unlike
general grammar education, it was paramount for Ghanaians to take advantage of, to empower their livelihood and promote the economic development of the country.
He made the observation at the 48th Anniversary celebration, and 2nd Speech and Prize Giving Day of the Koforidua Technical Institute, over the weekend.
He mentioned for example, situations where a large number of youth, in both urban and rural areas, were unemployed, even though they had acquired some formal education.
He lamented that the reason for this unfortunate state of affairs, was as a result of purely academic-oriented education, which neither equipped them with any occupational skills, nor exposed them to any job opportunities.
This, according to him, emphasised on the need for Africa leaders to give attention and resources to TVET, in order to provide increased access to training the critical population of the youth, who have graduated from either Junior High School or Senior High School, and left to fend for themselves.
He congratulated the students who had successfully completed their course, as well as those who may be completing soon.
Mr. Duodu said the success of the students, was achieved as a result of hard work and determination, adding that "it is my wish that those after you would emulate such exemplary lives."
Even though the students were praised for their hard work and determination, the TVET director quickly advised them to work much harder, if they wanted to make a meaningful standard of living.
"I urged you to continue to improve yourselves by attending part-time class, as well as in-service training programmes, in order to maintain the highest possible level of quality in your course," he advised.
He also lauded the effort of the government in its quest to promote TVET as an alternative to general grammar education, which was contained in the government white paper on education reforms.
The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of the New Juaben Assembly, Nana Kwasi Adjei Boateng, commended the administration of the school for their contribution towards the socio-economic development of the country.
On his part, the Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, Ofosu Asamoah, stated that education was the pivot for development, stressing that no country could succeed without investing in quality human resources, which is the catalyst for effective formulation of policies and implementation.
He noted that the importance of technical education could not be over-emphasised, since it helped to teach and impart knowledge of a particular technique, such as building technology, machines and electrical technology, among others.
Mr. Asamoah argued that because Ghanaians did not recognise the importance of technical education, they expressed the misconception that technical schools were for school dropouts.
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