The Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, has challenged girls to enroll for technical courses such as welding saying that they have competitive advantage over men once they acquire such skills.
Speaking during the second graduation ceremony of 174 students of Nawanyago Technical Institute in Kamuli district on Thursday, 15 August 2019, Kadaga was concerned that only one girl was graduating in welding.
“I want parents to encourage their children and especially the girls that technical education is good,” said Kadaga.
She also called on students to enroll in mechanics saying that due to shortage of skills in mechanical engineering, ferries in the country are repaired and serviced in Tanzania.
“I asked the President to set up a university in Namasagali so that we can teach our own people to do these jobs,” Kadaga added.
She also re-echoed the need for society to change attitude towards technical institutes saying that it is wrong to view it as education for failures and those who cannot afford university education.
She applauded the Turkish Friendship Association for supporting technical education by building classrooms and providing equipment for Nawanyago Technical Institute.
“I would have gotten ashamed because we asked government for this school and after it was built, students came in big numbers but we could not accommodate them,” Kadaga said.
The Principal of the Institute, Rose Martha Kumwiza, said she was impressed with the improved enrollment of girls in the institute.
“Out of the 174 students graduating today, 57 per cent are female,” said Kumwiza.
She challenged students to be creative and innovative saying that they have received unique skills which increases their employability opportunities.
“Always improve your skills in order to remain competitive in the ever-changing job industry,” she said.
The Chairman of the African Friendship Association, Semsettin Turkan, called for university scholarships for students who complete technical education as a way of increasing enrolment in technical institutes.
“The solution for Uganda and Africa is technical education. There are so many young people with no jobs,” Turkan said.
He also said that the Turkish government is willing to offer a 50 per cent discount to students seeking to pursue university education in technical courses in Turkey.
