Technical Colleges Enrollment: Ogun Records Increase

 

The eight Government Science and Technical Colleges being managed by the Ogun State have continued to record an increase in enrollment, following the various interventions of the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration in technical and vocational education in the state

Special Adviser to the Governor on Technical and Vocational Education and Training, Prof. Joseph Odemuyiwa disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Abeokuta, saying the development would address the shortage of skilled manpower and discourage the patronage of foreign craftsmen.

 He revealed that employment of over one hundred technical instructors, procurement of instructional materials, renovation of dilapidated structures, as well as provision of modern state-of-the-art tools, among others had accounted for the unprecedented increase, maintaining that the government would continue to empower the youths to be self-reliant.

 "This administration is very deliberate about educational development, which is why we accorded special attention to technical and vocational education. We are changing the narrative in terms of making school leavers independent, as well as graduates self-reliant and employers of labour rather than job seekers, which further informed our collaboration with the private sector, particularly the World Bank, and over 25 industries in the State to provide specialised training for our people", Odemuyiwa said.

He stated that aside the provision of the necessary tools to equip students, government had collaborated with trade and artisan groups, such as the Tailors and Garment Makers Association, among others to train people in the State, utilising the Skill Fund Agency, and other partners to sponsor them on different programmes, geared towards enhancing their skills.

The Special Adviser noted that a lot of parents now encourage their children and wards to enroll for technical education unlike the past, when it was seen as a field for the second fiddle, assuring that the sector would witness more government intervention to further encourage others.

Prof. Odemuyiwa affirmed that all the government science and technical colleges were functioning optimally and in line with the need of the immediate community, noting that the government had put in place measures to bring on board, innovations to further make the sector more attractive.

"We will continue to improve technical and vocational education in the State, and one of the areas in which we would do this is by employing additional teachers through OgunTeach", he added

The Governor's Aid admonished teachers generally to be dutiful and remain committed to their jobs, as their roles in moulding the young ones cannot be overemphasised, assuring that the government would continue to employ qualified candidates, irrespective of tribe and ethnicity when the need arises.