Uganda Education Ministry to form technical and vocational education council

Uganda : Three years after the launch of the Skilling Uganda Programme, the establishment of a Technical, Vocational and Education Training Council has been proposed.

The council will be tasked with regulating institutions which will spearhead the training of youths across Uganda to equip them with the relevant skills for the jobs of the future.

The High-level stakeholders consultative meeting on the establishment of the Technical, Vocational Education Training Council is in the final stages of formulating a path towards fulfilling its strategic plan by 2021.

The Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni who was overseeing the discussions emphasized the need to create an integrated and autonomous institution to guide the training and skilling of Uganda’s labour market with the view of making it more relevant and competitive.

Mrs Museveni reiterated that relevant training was crucial if Uganda’s workforce was to be regionally competitive.

Uganda has one of the youngest populations in the world and it is estimated that over 70 percent of the population is below 30 years.

This population is expected to double in the next 20 years which will create more pressure to absorb them into the labour market.

The Belguim Ambassador to Uganda Hugo Verbist says poverty figures are high with 10million poor and that’s why skills are important.

The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education, Alex Kakooza says the ministry needs four billion shillings annually to kickstart the council, which will then be mostly private sector led. However, concerns were raised over the slow process of implementation and diversion of funds.

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