Heads of vocational institutions tipped on innovation

PIC: The state minister for higher education, John C. Muyingo (centre) receives a copy of results from the UBTEB board chairperson Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba (left) during the release of business and technical results. Looking on is the under secretary in education ministry Aggrey Kibenge. (Credit: Francis Emorut)

EDUCATION

KAMPALA - The principals of business, vocational and technical institutions have been tipped on being innovative to address the challenges affecting vocational education training.

The advice was given by the undersecretary ministry of education, Aggrey Kibenge, who said principals should come up with innovative ways to address the challenges they are faced with instead of lamenting.

"Despite the little pay you get, think out of the box and add value to technical education training," Kibenge said.

He expressed concern that some principals were busy circulating photos of cracked walls of their institutions via WhatsApp, yet technical education should take precedence.

"You should improve the face of the institutions and wake up to the challenges and demonstrate the competencies you have to provide solutions," he said.

The undersecretary was speaking during the release of results for Uganda Business and Technical Examinations Board (UBTEB) in Kampala.

Kibenge also called for retooling of the heads of vocational colleges through refresher courses to adapt to modern practices of management and skill Ugandans to develop the economy of the country.  

According to the executive secretary of UBTEB, Onesmus Oyesigye, the overall registration of candidates increased by 17% from 25,876 in 2016 to 30,180 in 2017.

There was also increase of female candidates from 6,191 to 7,318, while male candidates increased from 19,685 to 22,862.

Oyesigye told guests that male candidates performed better their counterparts in all programmes with exception of certificate of in plumbing, wood technology and agriculture.

He added that the female candidates dominated in fashion and design.

The UBTEB board chairman, Prof. Venansius  Baryamureeba, said plans were underway to twin Utali College of Nairobi with Uganda Hotel Tourism Institutions in Jinja as centres of excellence to promote the spirit East Africa Community.
 
The former presidential candidate paraded two women Jalia Nazaza and Brenda Isoke viewed as role models, who attained vocational education training and are now principal instructors of different institutions in the country.

He was driving a point that vocational education training is not for the uneducated.

The state minister of higher education John C. Muyingo urged the board not to compromise on the quality of education, emphasising that minimum standards should be met.