Dilemma as students shun Shs9 billion technical institute

Lyantonde Technical Institute which opened in February but has failed to attract students. PHOTO BY CLEOPHAS TUKAMARWA

LYANTONDE- A multi-billion government technical institute constructed in Lyantonde District early this year has failed to attract students, Daily Monitor has established.

Since it opened its doors to prospective candidates in February this year, Lyantonde Technical Institute located in Kaliiro Sub-county 14 kilometres from Lyantonde Town Council, has only 17 students.

Construction of the institute was funded by the Saudi Fund for Development at a tune of Shs9 billion and President Museveni officially commissioned it while canvassing votes in the area during the February general elections.

Mr Francis Behagana, the principal of the institute, attributes the problem to the criteria used in admitting students.

“I think we set the bar too high by asking applicants to possess Ordinary Level certificates. If we had allowed students who have completed Primary Seven to join, we would be having a reasonable number of students,” Mr Behagana said during an interview last Sunday.

A similar technical institute established in Nakaseke District at a tune of Shs10 billion has also failed to attract a considerable number of students.

Out of the 600 students who had applied for certificates in plumbing, motor vehicle mechanics, wielding and agriculture, only 60 turned up.
Both institutes were established to enable youth, who form the biggest percentage of jobless Ugandans, acquire hands-on employable skills.

Mr Behagana also said the institute opened at a time when many other privately-owned institutions offering similar courses had already been established in the area.

“We opened at a time when qualifying students have already joined other institutes like Salaama Shield Vocational Education Centre which also offers similar courses,” he said.

Lyantonde Technical Institute admits students on both government and private programmes.
Government students pay between Shs130,000 and Shs165,000 while those on private pay between Shs430, 000 and Shs495,000 as tuition per semester.

Currently, only three courses are being offered at the institute including a certificate in building, construction, plumbing, welding and metal fabrication.

Mr Behagana said they plan to introduce non formal free courses soon as a way of attracting more students.
“Our board of governors has resolved to open admission to all irrespective of the level of education and we shall train them for three months. This, we hope, will attract more students,” he said.

Mr Medard Byarugaba, the Lyantonde District education officer, said his office is soon rolling out a campaign to attract students from neighbouring districts like Lwengo, Rakai, Kiruhura and Sembabule.

Residents speak out
Residents of Kaliiro Town blame the district leaders on failure to market the institute.
Mr Simon Asiimwe, a resident, said many residents simply see the magnificent structures but do not know what takes place there.
“We have never heard our local leaders tell us that the buildings we see there are housing a technical institute. Some think it is just a project run by foreigners,” he said.
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