Encroachment on Institute's land limit enrolment

The Headmistress of the Takoradi Community Development Vocational Institute, Mrs. Georgina Baba Otoo, has expressed worry over encroachment of the school lands by squatters.

She said the encroachment had affected the expansion of school facilities and limited the enrolment of more students into the institute.

The Headmistress stated that the institute had been tasked to expand its programs so that it could introduce technical courses such as Welding, Plumbing and repairing of mobile phones in order to admit males, but due to the problem, it is unable to do so.

Mrs. Otoo expressed these concerns at the graduation ceremony of 48 students, in Takoradi, which was held under the theme “The Role of the Vocational Student in the Oil and Gas Industry”.

The graduates were trained in Catering, Fashion Design, Hairdressing, Home Management, Entrepreneurial Skills, Textiles, Needle Works and Craft, English Language and Mathematics.

The Headmistress noted that stray animals and heavy trucks invade the school compound coupled with industrial noise nearby, which disturbs during lessons. She appealed to the Government, NGOs and corporate organizations to support the school to build a fence wall around the school.

She also appealed for more dormitories, classrooms, an assembly hall, kitchen, library and the relevant textbooks, to make teaching and learning conducive.

Mrs. Otoo said the institute was established to train the youth, especially young girls in employable skills to make them self-dependent to curb the exodus of the youth to urban centers.

Established in 1973, the institute currently has 142 students with 17 staff and two National Service persons.

The National Director of the Department of Community Development (DCD), Mr. Theodore Tandoh congratulated the students for successfully completing the course and charged them to introduce creativity into their work and utilize the skills acquired to better their lot.

He said the DCD had presented teaching aides such as computers and accessories like scanners, projectors, printers and servers, to boost teaching and learning and pledged more support for the school.

The graduates exhibited some of their craft works to the gathering while certificates and prizes were presented to deserving students and staff.**