Manager of Biriwa National Vocational Training and Rehabilitation Institute, Mr Samuel Kwashie Amegbor, has called on government to extend its Free Senior High School programme to Technical, Vocational and Rehabilitation Training institutions in the country.
Speaking at the institute’s eighth graduation and exhibition ceremony, he intimated that his call comes as a result of the financial constraint some students of the institution face.
“We beseech the government to extend the Free SHS policy to the Vocational institutions under NVTI and others which are not included. Most of our trainees are from financially challenged background, therefore, it will be a big relief to trainees and their parents if this happen soon.”
Additionally, Mr Amegbor, who made the appeal at the ceremony said, their meagre Internally Generated Funds (IGF) was insufficient to support academic work and as a result called on the government and various corporate bodies to support the institute with the right teaching and learning logistics to enable them deliver on their mandate.
He also lamented the use of obsolete tools, equipment and machines for practical training, lack of science laboratories, infrastructure and school bus as challenges affecting effective teaching, training and learning.
“Our little training fees are insufficient to meet these challenges, hence, we are calling on the Government, benevolent societies and the general public to support this institute to train the youth with quality employable TVET skills to meet the 21st Century job market needs and standards.”
Touching on the strategy of government to expand technical and vocational opportunities in secondary schools, Mr. Amegbor posited that, the strategy will strengthen the linkage between education and industry, as well as empower the young people to make use of their skills in oirder to be self-reliant and also employ others.
Mr. Amegbor further assured that, his outfit will remain committed to giving young people the opportunity to be assisted, in order to help them fulfil their potential and also help improve themselves and the country at large.
“The acquisition of skills and attitudes are dynamic tools for decreasing unemployment rate, improving employability and increasing productivity.”
He also indicated that was one of the ways in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 8 to ensure that everyone secured decent jobs to avoid the consequences of unemployment.
He then expressed appreciation to all staff members whose hard work had aided the graduates to be transformed with positive attitude, knowledge and skills.
The graduation ceremony which was held on the theme: “Growing the mindset of the youth with TVET skills to reduce the high unemployment rate in Ghana”, saw a total of 330 students from the institute graduating from various disciplines.
The courses included Building and Construction, Carpentry and Joinery, general electricals, Catering services, Dressmaking, Leather Works, Wielding and Fabrication, Motor Vehicle Mechanics, Refrigeration and Air-conditioning and Computer hardware servicing.
The Institute, established in 1974 has graduated more than 6,960 individuals over the last 46 years as part of its mandate to create and build the human resource needed in the country.
