Government moots double shift for technical institutions

Kampala. The Education minister, Ms Jessica Alupo, has proposed to technical institutions to introduce double shifts in order to increase the number of students joining skills training courses.
However, this was received with mixed feelings with some saying it is impossible given that the programmes run in technical institutions are practical-oriented and require enough funding and time to prepare.

“I have seen double shifts in secondary schools. My instruction to you is that we need double shifts in technical institutions. Work out a strategic plan and start them. Don’t worry about the finances. Government will be ready to support you as long as you are giving skills to the massive population. Start work now. You will see the resources,” Ms Alupo told principals of technical and business institutions on Monday.
But Ms Evelyn Zalwango Lubwama, the Luzunku Community Polytechnic head of instructors, has opposed the proposal citing that the already existing institutions are understaffed and underfunded. She explained that their training is based on skills development which requires one to create time to practice and present a real-life project.

“It is not possible. It is difficult to have a double shift in technical institutions. We have big numbers of students and we don’t have workshops. If a student is working on a vehicle, you can’t have many students on the car. The facilities and workshops are few, the instructors are few and hiring them is expensive,” Ms Lubwama said.
The government revised the business and technical curriculum to competence-based education and training curriculum where students are assessed on real-life projects they have worked on while on their course.

For instance, a student who is doing a building programme must construct a house and be examined on the job and an engineering student is tested on site to prove that he or she has mastered the skill. Although stakeholders are happy with the development, they say funding to these institutions has relatively remained the same, affecting the implementation of the curriculum.
According to Sr Maria Gorretti Kabakari, the double shift initiative is a welcome move for institutions with structures but warned that these shifts have to only be carried out during the day.

“This will depend on the capacity of institutions. They can introduce day and weekend programmes. But it is impossible for practical courses, especially evening courses because it can be dark during the night even if there is electricity and this puts the lives of students in danger,” Sr Kabakari observed.
Mr John Twesigye, the Bunyaruguru MP-elect, appealed to government to first think through the strategy before it is implemented.
“Whereas enrolment will go high, it will require double funding to procure teaching materials and recruit more staff. You can’t engage your teaching staff for a whole day and expect results. There are some equipment which need replacement more often. The proposal has to be well thought out because there are people who want to work at the same time study,” Mr Twesigye said.

Lack of resources
Uganda Business and Technical Examinations Board executive secretary, Mr Onesmus Oyesigye, admitted that most institutions they assess lack basic requirements which makes their work difficult.
“You can imagine if you have 20 computers and you have 300 students. You can’t keep them forever when you have practical lessons. Our budget has been growing but not in tandem with the growing number of students,” Mr Oyesigye admitted.
But Ms Alupo defended her proposal saying government will avail the funds once there is goodwill.

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