Lack of training equipment has been cited as the major challenge facing technical and vocational training in private vocational schools. While closing a weeklong training for 120 technical and vocational teachers from various schools at Children’s village in Kinyinya sector, Gasabo District, the chairman of the association of private Technical and Vocational Schools (TEVSA), John Gasana, said shortage of qualified teachers compromises the quality of graduates. “I am, however, optimistic that trainings like this will address such challenges,” Gasana said.The training that concluded last Friday was organised by the association of private Technical and Vocational Schools in partnership with the German Development Cooperation (GIZ).“You know technology keeps changing. It is therefore imperative that you are well versed with the latest technology.” Participants were trained in various fields, including accountancy, electricity, effective teaching, construction, computer science and auto mechanic.Gasana asked the trainees to go back and impart the skills and knowledge acquired from the seminar to colleagues who did not get the chance of attending.Silke Leiendecker, in charge of promotion of employment at GIZ said they were ready to support the government target of having 60 per cent of students in secondary schools join TVET.“It’s in this regard that GIZ decided to support this workshop. We know that the quality of teachers and trainers is very vital to achieve this target and to have graduates who are really very qualified and are able to compete with others in the labour market”.She pledged continuous support from GIZ towards promoting the quality of education in technical and vocation schools in the country through the Workforce Development Authority (WDA) and TEVSA. Charles Muhirwa, one of the accounting trainees said: “I thank TEVSA and GIZ for organising this workshop because it has enabled me and my colleagues to know how to design invoices and how to easily identify errors which incur losses in our daily duties as teachers”.He appealed for more trainings, saying there is still a need for vocational teachers to gain more knowledge and skills in their respective professions.TEVSA association brings together over 40 technical and vocational schools in the country.
