Negative perception affecting enrolment at technical institutions

Kukurantumi (E/R), Feb. 12, GNA - The Principal of Saint Paul's Technical School, Kukurantumi, Mr Stephen Godomey, has said due to negative public perception about the value of practical training at the secondary school level, many technical schools are recording poor enrolment.

He said most Ghanaians perceive technical education and training to be the preserve of the academically weak to the extent that there are massive withdrawals from technical institutions within the first few weeks of the beginning of the academic year. This has resulted in the general decline in enrolment in technical institutions over the last three years.

Delivering an address to mark the Golden Jubilee Anniversary of the school at Kukurantumi in the East Akyem District over the weekend, Mr Godomey said there was the need to promote technical education as a cardinal part in producing competent manpower needed in the construction and development of the nation.

He said the Board of Governors of the school has now decided to allow the enrolment of females into the school and for that reason, contract has been awarded for the construction of a girls' hostel. Mr Godomey appealed for massive support for the school to replace and maintain aging facilities.

The Chairman of the Board of Governors of the school, Mr Gilbert Dokyi, urged the Catholic Church and the Society of the Divine Word Missionaries (SVD) to consider elevating the school to a tertiary institution in future.

In a speech read for him the Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing, Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyemang, said the government was restructuring the educational system with emphasis on technological, scientific, technical and vocational skills.

The institute was established in 1957 as a collaboration between the SVD and the people of Akyem Kukurantumi with 18 students. It has so far trained more than 10,000 students in motor vehicle mechanics, electrical installation work, mechanical engineering, block laying and carpentry. 12 Feb 07