NEWS- A total of 2348 candidates have graduated with different courses at Karera technical institute during her first graduation ceremony on Friday since its inception 40 years ago.
Karera technical institute was founded in 1984 in Shema and ever since it was first time to hold a graduation ceremony that attracted over 2000 graduands that got their certificates in building construction, motor vehicle mechanics, electrical installation, plumbing, fashion design as well as carpentry and joinery.
The principal Karera Technical Institute, Boaz Turyahabwe among 2348 graduands only 302 which constitutes 13% are females the rest are males. He said there was still a low attitude of girls joining technical education as they think it’s for boys which is completely wrong.
The acting director technical vocational education and training (TVET) Hajjat Safina Kisu Musene represented the education minister and the first lady Janet Museveni as chief guest.
In her message Minister Janet Museveni said that the government is working hard to woo more girls into technical education to balance with the boys.
“Technical training is the only way to go, the government is working hard to make sure there is vocational training institution in every district and later at constituency level,” Janet Museveni said in a message delivered by Hajjat Safina Musene.
She said that the government is running adverts in all media platforms calling for the girl child to join technical training education which she said will send a signal to parents and guardians that it’s very normal for a girl child to study courses like building, mechanical, carpentry and many others as boys do.
Janet Museveni added that the government slots offered in technical education 50% is for girls and people with disabilities another 50% is for boys which she said will equalize the number of girls with boys in vocational training.
She praised the 13% of females who graduated in different disciplines saying they will be their ambassadors in their respective villages to woo more girls in vocational training.
Kenneth Kaijuka the executive director of national housing who is also the chairperson of the board of governors urged the government to increase the number of students sponsored by the government from currently 100 to 300 per year to cater for the increasing number of students joining technical education.
“We shall not realize our dreams especially of increasing the number of females in vocational training if the government does not increase the number sponsored by the government,” he said.
He praised the government and President Yoweri Museveni for considering technical teachers in science scale but said still what they get is still low compared to what they are imparting into the citizens of this nation as they get out of the institute with enough knowledge to earn a living.
Bishop Johnson Twinomujuni of West Ankole urged graduands and other continuing students to be Godly if they are to realise what God called them to do.
“There is no way you can put into use what you have studied here when you’re drunk, when you’re in police battling with defilement cases and theft,” he said.
Bishop Twinomujuni added that he recently tabled the motion in the house of bishops to promote technical education if Uganda and the Church is to grow.
He said the western education encourages us to learn how to use a computer but not to make a computer.
The district Chairperson Shema District, Jemimah Buhanda said its only technical education that will save Ugandans from lack of jobs. She said in Shema district one office job attracts about 60 candidates which indicates that many people are jobless in their villages.
“When one completes building course here, the following day will be on site constructing and earning some good money unlike those who studied accountancy and other leadership courses,” she said.
