📷 Museveni to grace International Day of Education celebrations

________________

Government has finalised preparations for the International Day of Education, scheduled to take place at the Kololo Independence grounds on Tuesday, April 29.

Students showcasing some of their products.

President Yoweri Museveni is expected to preside over the event that has been organised under the theme: “Promoting an employer-led TVET system that is functional, effective and efficient to meet the needs and the priorities of the labour market.”

Speaking during the opening of an exhibition of technical vocational and education training institutions (TVET) today, Monday, organised at the venue as a pre-event to the celebrations, sports state minister Peter Ogwang said this year’s event will not only recognise the power of skills training.

It is also about recommitting the government to building a TVET system that responds directly and urgently to the needs of the labour market.

“That is why the Ministry of Education and Sports, under the leadership of First Lady and Minister of Education Janet Museveni has fully committed to reforms that engage employers at every stage from the curriculum design to internship to final assessment,” he said.

State Minister for Education Peter Ogwang visiting a stall during the exhibition.

Other reforms are aimed at promoting of apprenticeship programs that allow students to gain real-world experience before they graduate, equipping TVET institutions with modern equipment and encouraging entrepreneurship and innovation. 

He noted that the ministry has already begun to see some fruits of the employer-led approach through public-private partnerships with industries in manufacturing, construction, agribusiness, ICT, oil and gas as well as Tourism and creative arts.

Dr Eddy Turyatemba, the assistant commissioner vocational education and training at the education ministry, said the reforms by the ministry are in a bid to yield a TVET system that is functional and effective.

“We want to see the creativity of our young people and ensure that what they do when they are in their institutions is a replica of what they do when they complete school,” he said.

Uganda technical College-Elgon show case their innovations in architecture.

He adds that the government wants all TVET graduates to be self-reliant, even when they have a chance for salaried employment after they complete school.

“When you join TVET, you should be able to do work and be assured of a livelihood. We don’t want you to just look for jobs but be able to create a job yourself and be more productive.”

Ahmed Seguya Memorial Technical Institute showcasing their electrical installation innovation.

Finn Church Aid, a TVET Programme training refugees. The group is exhibiting some of their products at Kololo.

Sumini Nakagwa (right) showing a movable hand washing machine, an innovation by Ntinda VTI.

Ocen Jaspher Watson, the Head of Department, Agriculture at Northern Uganda Youth centre-Omoro showing some of their products.