Vocational schools ‘the way forward’

Presidential Advisor on Agoa Susan Muhwezi (R) talks to the owners of the SSEKO Designs in Munyonyo recently. Ms Muhwezi said vocation schools are the only way to solve unemployment in Uganda. PHOTO BY JOSEPH KIGGUNDU

What you need to know:

Parents and students are urged to look to vocational education since it creates jobs and allows youth to get income at an early stage.

Parents should reconsider taking their children to vocational institutions if unemployment among the youth is to be addressed, the national director of Child Fund Uganda, an NGO, Mr Simba Machingaidze, has said.

Mr Machingaidze said most parents and students target advanced level of education and universities without weighing the importance of vocational education.

He gave the advice while officiating at the graduation ceremony of the Child Fund youth vocational programme in Buwaaya Sub-county in Mayuge District last week.

Mr Machingaidze said vocational schools help youth become job creators instead of job seekers, especially in rural areas where white collar jobs are few.

“Vocational institutions help others to start earning income at an early stage because sometimes they do not get a chance to join universities and high schools...,” Mr Machingaidze said.

At least 120 students graduated in various courses, including tailoring, vehicle mechanics, electrical installation and hair dressing.

Child fund donated start-up kits such as hairdressing machines and motorcylce spare parts to the graduates as capital.
The NGO also has family support groups generating at least Shs90m.

Shun early marriages
Bunya East MP Waira Kyewalabye Majegere said parents should stop sending their children into early marriages because they want money from their husbands.

“Early marriages have affected people’s lives and makes the community lag behind because the young generation is not supported in development,” Mr Majegere said.