'TECHNICAL EDUCATION IS NOT FOR ACADEMICALLY WEAK STUDENTS' (Page 11)

Story: Nana Konadu Agyeman, Abetifi

THE DIRECTOR for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Mr Asamoah Duodu, has asked Ghanaians to disabuse their minds of the misconception that technical education is only meant for academically weak students.
He said since technical education was universally recognised as the foundation for industrialisation, there was the need for it to be given serious attention in order to produce skilled middle manpower for the country’s industries.
“Every country that has progressed economically made it through the development of its technical and vocational systems. Therefore the challenges and opportunities for such education can only be met if all of us will be committed and give serious attention to its education,” he stated.
Mr Duodu made the call at the 30th anniversary and first speech and prize-giving day of the Abetifi Technical Institute in the Kwahu South District in the Eastern Region.
The event, which was on the theme, “The New Educational Reform: Implications and Challenges for Technical and Vocational Education and Training Institution”, was graced by several dignitaries including the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Affram Asiedu, Nana Onwona Asante; the District Chief Executive for Kwahu South and Mrs Akosua Takyiwaa-Adu, Eastern Regional Director of Education.
The school, established in 1977 with 48 students, currently has 300 students including 47 females.
According to the Director of TVET, under the educational reform programmes, students of technical and vocational institutions, in addition to their regular elective trades, would now have the opportunity to study fully the five core senior high school subjects comprising English Language, Science, Mathematics, Social Studies and Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
“This will allow trainees of such institutions to enhance their understanding of current technological development of their trades, as well as address academic progress to tertiary institutions, which has been a problem in technical education in the past,” he added.