By Prince J Musa in Kenema
The Government Technical Institute in Kenema has held its first matriculation ceremony since it was established in 2019. The event was held at the Institute’s campus off Dorwaila Reservation on 31 March 2021.
The Chairman of the ceremony Alphajor Bah described the matriculation of the students as the first step in pursuing their courses as education is strongest weapon one can use to transform the life of individuals and the society as whole.
He said, technical institute is considered as the bed lock for the development of middle level man power and therefore the new direction government did no mistake to put premium on technical education. Mr. Bah told the matriculants to make use of all the available opportunity accorded to them in ensuring that the go through the Institution in order to acquires their certificates at the end of their studies in the institute.
The Principal of the Institute, Kadiatu Kamara explained to the students about the importance of Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) and said it is one area a government can turn attention to in order to achieve human capital development and which is a source of job creation. She said middle- level manpower training will result in the acquisition of skills that will foster growth in a nation and urged the students to approach their academic work with utmost seriousness.
She said students signing the register of the Institute with oath taking will give power to the institution in taking any disciplinary action any students that fall short of the core mandate of the institution.
She maintained that many youths are focused on getting fast money especially young men running commercial bikes , some of whom that she said have become disabled for life due to the many accidents associated and said with skills training they will be in a better position to make a living through less hazardous means.
Kamara suggested that the Ministry of Youth Affairs and the National Youth Commission consider TVET as an alternative that offers young people with the opportunity to learn trade rather than involving themselves in other forms of activities that will endanger their future.
She outlined some of the challenges faced as an institution such as understaffing and lack of enough teaching and learning materials, especially in disciplines such as hotel management, computer library studies and agriculture.
The principal registered gratitude for World Bank’s support to the Institute that include laboratory equipment and solar lights.
In his statement, the Resident Minister East, Andrew Ansu Fatorma assured the gathering of government’s commitment to technical education in the country, saying that education is a journey which needs all efforts for one to achieve it. The Minister said TVET is one of the transformation tools the new direction government believed other nations have used to succeed in development. He stated that matriculation starts the journey of academic work and urged the students to be serious with their studies for them to get their certificates.
One of the Inspector of Schools, Sam Alpha Lahai affirmed the support of the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education to TVET’s activities in Kenema.
He said skills training will help people to be self-employ rather than searching for employment and encouraged the matriculates not to be distracted by others’ opinions and to take the challenge in serving as agents of change.
In his Keynote address, Head of National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA), Sama Vandi Sama said the event was unique since it was the first time to admit students formally in to the institution and advised them to make themselves regular for lecturers and that they ignore all other social activities that will distract them.
He maintained that the country needs innovative businesses and therefore encouraged the matriculates to utilize the available opportunities accorded them and serve as agent to others that are yet to make up their mind in doing anything that will add value to their lives.
“Those that have learnt technical skills most times earn more income than government employees”, he observed.
He admonished the matriculates to be obedient to their tutors so that they can get the best knowledge, and also appealed to the lecturers and the administration to give guidance to the students so that they will become useful to themselves and the society they may find themselves.
Copyright © 2021 Politico Online (07/04/21)
