Give vocational training institutes the support they need to thrive
Mr Isaac Obulejo trains youth at his workshop in Laropi Town, Moyo District on June 13, 2025. PHOTO/FELIX WAROM OKELLO
What you need to know:
The issue: Vocational education and training
Our view: Vocational training while it might still be undermined by some , is a great facet of our education sector that should be given all the attention it needs for it to thrive so that we continue to see the numbers of enrolment increase and also the quality of service and graduates improve.
According to a story we published on Thursday June 19,vocational training is gaining momentum in Uganda. It is reported that many technical institutes are experiencing a surge in student enrolment. The increase in enrolment has been attributed to a number of reasons that include, growing recognition of vocational courses’ value and relevance in the job market, improved and effective publicity about the courses, and improved perception, among others.
The principal of Soroti Vocational Training Institute, Rev Julius Apedu says enrolment has increased over the years at the Church of Uganda-funded institution from 500 to 1,000 as more students seek practical skills to earn a living. Vocational training institutes across the country teach a number of courses such as concrete and brick laying, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, plumbing, building and construction, fashion and design, catering and hotel management.
These and other courses add value to students and make them quite marketable. It is, therefore, a step in the right direction that the number of students is increasing. We hope that the quality of graduates from these institutes meets the minimum standards required by the current marketplace. However, even with all this progress in enrolment, it can and should be better. There are a number of issues that still need to be tackled to improve enrolment and retention of students at these institutes. Ms Martha Kumwiza , the principal of Sasiira Technical Institutes in Nakasongola District says there’s need to promote these courses so that parents, guardians, and other stakeholders understand their value and send their children to study them.
Other hindrances that still persist are wrong perceptions of vocational studies as being for failures, or those who are financially constrained, lack of facilities for students with mobility and visual impairments, limited accommodation facilities for students, inadequate infrastructure, lack of staff accommodation, and staffing shortages, etc. Such hindrances should be addressed by the powers that be. We agree with Rev Apedu who calls for increased government support, citing the growing student population and the need for additional facilities and improved funding.
Vocational training while it might still be undermined by some , is a great facet of our education sector that should be given all the attention it needs for it to thrive so that we continue to see the numbers of enrolment increase and also the quality of service and graduates improve. This way, the institutions will be a source of highly marketable human resource and in a way, contribute to solving the problem of youth unemployment. Let’s give the vocational training sector all the support it needs to thrive.
