Jinja Vocational Institute proudly stands test of time

Andrew Masinde

A TRUCK loaded with merchandise speeds past us, raising a cloud of dust which cuts off our view of Jinja Vocational Institute standing across the road.

An aura of a peaceful, spacious, tidy and green environment welcomes one to Jinja Technical and Vocational Institute. The newly renovated institute is a beauty rising out of the pit it had sunk into three years ago.

It is a relief to step off the dusty pot-holed roads of Jinja town, onto a large and well maintained compound with paved paths. Built in 1982 as a model technical and vocational training institute in mideastern Uganda, it has stood the test of time.

It was initially meant for 120 students. However, today it boasts of a population of 400 students. In 1985, the Government together with the World Bank reconstructed the institute.

“If you had visited this institute in 2009, you would appreciate the great work done by government in revamping it,” the deputy principal, Lazarus Ngaga- Zangu says.

The institute now has well– equipped workshops, with state- of- the- art machines. The Government has also been restocking the institute. Ngaga-Zangu says: “We give our students the best education. 

We are confi dent that they are able to deal with the world when they leave the institute.” He explains that they emphasise quality and quantity of craftsmen and women by empowering them with skills that make them self-reliant.

Ngaga-Zangu adds that the institute’s objectives are to impart knowledge, skills and attitudes in its learners and prepare them for the world of work.

The institute has a large ICT centre that is well–equipped that no other institute in the country. “It gives a teacher encouragement to work here.

It is the same reason why our students emerge the best in technical education. We have well–equipped workshops and have almost all the resources we need,” the head of plumbing, Robert Gukyeire says.

He applauds the Government for its commitment in uplifting the standards of the institution. The institute also has a wellstocked library.

“All the books that a student needs are available here. Our students have the resources to carryout almost all their research projects,” Fred Oula, the librarian says.

The institute provides students with skills in electrical installation and fitting, motor vehicle mechanics, welding and fabrication, among others.

Other courses at the institute include plumbing and pipe fitting, carpentry and Joinery and tailoring. The Government, in 2010, allocated Jinja Vocational Training Institute sh2.6b for its renovation and expansion.

The project involved the construction of a new girls’ dormitory, expansion of the information communication technology workshop as well as renovation of all buildings at the institute.

The dream behind

Skilling Uganda

IN a move to have all graduates skilled, Government late last year unveiled a new education programme dubbed, ‘Skilling Uganda.’ 

The new programme estimated to cost sh2trillion will run for a period of 10 years. The major part of the development expenditure is earmarked for rehabilitating and strengthening the existing network of Business, Technical, Vocational and Education Training (BTVET) institutions.

The (BTVET) 2012/13 to 2021/22 Strategic plan envisage an increase in capitation grants. The current capitation grants levels between sh432,000 and sh600,000 per year for every learner are grossly insufficient to meet training costs.

There are also plans to have the non-formal BTVET permanently into the public BTVET portfolio. The plan allocates sh160b for non-formal BTVET. This will increase enrolment in publicly sponsored non-formal training from 20,000 persons to 40,000 in 2015 and 60,000 by 2016.

Government has estimated that the recurrent budget for this fiscal year would be sh58.6b, increasing to sh100.3b in 2015/2016.

The planned increase of resources is as a result of the expected increase in enrolment in both formal and nonformal BTVET, and increase in Percapita fundings.

During the first phase, according to the Government, about one-fifth of the total development costs will finance new BTVET institutions under existing loan agreements. From 2014/15, no further investments are budgeted for new public institutions, but all funds will go to incentives to be introduced to expand private institutes.

A number of institutes around the country are dilapidated and they will be refurbished in the next 10 years, according to the higher education state minister Dr. John Muyingo.

Over years, there has been substantial funding between requirements of the Strategic Plan and currently projected public expenditure.

The plan envisages the introduction of a training levy, which may become a significant additional revenue source for BTVET system. There is also need to reduce the funding gap which has for years affected this sub-sector’s performance.

There is also a planned increase of public allocation to BTVET, and closing the gap will require increasing the share of the Ministry of Education and Sports to this sub-sector from 4% to 5% in 2012/2013 and 9,2% in 2014/15 based on current projections. 

There are plans to establish a new unified body for skills development. The new organisation will become the owner and main implementer of this Strategic Plan.

A BTVET Task Force will be formed to oversee the implementation of the Strategic Plan until the new integrated skills organisation is established.

The Office of the Prime Minister will appoint to the Task Force which will include eminent personalities and experts in the fields of skills development, economic and business sector.