Gov''t to build 21 new technical schools

By Innocent Anguyo

IN the next few years, government will build 21 new technical or vocational institutes in districts that do not have such an institution, according Education Minister Jessica Alupo.

Speaking to New Vision at Lyantonde Technical Institute, Alupo who has been on a field tour of various construction projects across the country said the move to build 21 the new institutions is meant to expand Uganda's technical workforce.

Alupo said the establishment of the 21 technical institutions follows a directive by President Yoweri Museveni that each district of the 112 must have at least a technical institution.

The 21 technical institutions will be built in Amudat, Budaka, Bududa, Buikwe, Buvuma, Buyende, Kalungu, Kibuku, Koboko, Kole, Kween, Kyankwanzi, Kyegegwa, Lamwo, Luuka, Namayingo, Ntoroko, Nwoya, Otuke, Rubirizi and Sironko districts.

The minister said government is now seeking $75m from the World Bank to commence works on the 21 new institutions that are projected to have classroom blocks, administration blocks, staff houses, sports facilities, computer complexes, dining facilities and dormitories.

"Once we build the 21 institutes, all districts in Uganda will have technical training facilities," said Alupo.

She said government also plans to expand all traditional technical institutions that are dilapidating in a bid to transform them into havens for modern vocational training.

Once the 21 institutes are completed, Alupo said Uganda would be churning out at least 67,200 hands-on personnel in vocational disciplines every year, up from the current 21,000. 

"For a country to transform, you need many technical personnel such as artisans. Most of our works force comprises white-collar personnel and we want to change that trend," said Alupo.

"Over the last decade, Uganda's Business, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (BTVET) sub-sector has gained increasing prominence with the realization that our national aspirations for industrial development will require a wide and well-qualified spectrum of BTVET cadres."

Uganda churns out at least 140,000 graduates from universities every year.

The paradigm shift in education priorities follows recent request by experts that government invests in practical skills development such as welding and metal fabrication as opposed to acquiring theoretic knowledge, as Uganda reaches the most lucrative stage of oil production.

Former minister for energy Richard Kaijuka recently said most of the attention has been on acquiring knowledge on oil and gas management without thinking about practical skills which he says are equally important.

Higher Technical Vocational Education and Training Director Elizabeth Gabona nevertheless said the Establishment of Kigumba Petroleum Institute will go a long way in closing some of the skills gaps as government turns full attention to vocational training.

Alupo also said government would soon survey land in all public academic institutions, as threats of encroachment escalate across the country. She said the survey will be conducted in the next financial year.

She made the remarks during her on-going tour of Arab funded projects undertaken by the Education Ministry. Her tour is meant to assess the progress of the projects.

Last year, government received a $80m loan from Arab countries to construct and reconstruct 25 technical institutions and teacher training institutions across the country. 

The works which began in December 2013 are expected to time up at the end of this year.

The main objective of the project is to expand equitable access to quality Business, Technical and Vocational Education and Training and science-focused Teacher Instructor Education and Training in Uganda.

The minister and her entourage of experts on Saturday concluded making on-the-sight visits to the eight of the beneficiary technical institutions including Nawanyago in Kamuli, Elgon, Lira, Unyama, Lwengo, Lyantonde, Nyamago and Buhimba in Hoima.

Lyantonde Technical Institute 

Government allocated sh4.5b of the loan to Lyantonde. Located about 15 km from Lyantonde town, along the Lyantonde-Sembabule road, once completed, the institution will train students in Building and Concrete Practice, Welding and Metal Fabrication and Plumbing and Pipe Fitting.

Chen Zhiyong, the Vice President of Shengyuang Group, the Chinese firm undertaking the civil works said they would roof the institute by December.

Daniel Otim, the government consultant for the project said on completion, dining hall, Kitchens, classrooms, laboratories, administrative buildings, library, computer room and staff houses will define the institute's profile.