Uganda is among the countries that are embracing a new curriculum to align with the ever demanding requirements of the modern workforce. It has place a focus on technical vocational education and training with the commitment to producing skilled workforce but also underscores the pivotal role TVET plays in shaping the country’s socio economic landscape. The tvet mission consists in ensuring that individuals and enterprises acquire the skills they need to raise productivity and income. The TVET system is under the authority of the ministry of education and sports which is responsible for programme implementation and monitoring including procedures for planning, budgeting and annual reviews.
The objectives of the mission are as follows:
Make TVET relevant to productivity development and economic growth
Increase the quality of skills provision
Increase equal access to skills development
Improve the efficiency in TVET management and organisation and
Increase internal efficiency and resources available TVET.
It has a three over lapping tier system comprising:
- Craftsman level training offered by technical schools and institutes
- Technician level training offered by technical colleges
- Graduate engineer level training offered at the universities.
On the concerns of quality assurance, A new accreditation system has been developed and launched based on the evaluation of models and experience in other countries. This aimed to allow private providers to seek formal recognition and should support TVET institutions to improve quality and training standards.
Introduce an internal quality management systems in tvet institutions which is a combination of activities and information that addresses topics such as a customer focus , leadership, involvement of people, process approaches, systems of management, decision making and relationship with beneficiaries and stakeholders.
The power of practical skills.
Technical vocational education offers students a pathway that extends beyond traditional academic learning. It equips them with practical skills and knowledge something that the old curriculum did not provide. On top of the traditional learning and knowledge obtained from the classroom, they are equipped with practical skills and knowledge that are directly applicable in real world scenarios. This approach has gained prominence due to the potential to bridge the gap between theoretical learning and practical application. As industries evolve and demand specialized skills, the inclusion of TVET ensures that graduates are ready to contribute effectively in the workspace.
Alignment with industry needs.
There is strong emphasis on aligning education with Uganda’s industrial policy 2020 that looks to providing a skilled workforce to drive the industrial sector. This approach has a two fold benefit: it ensures that graduates are job ready and that industries have access to a pool of skilled individuals. By involving industry experts in curriculum development and encouraging partnerships between educational institutions and businesses. Uganda’s education system is nurturing a symbiotic relationship that fuels economic growth.
Addressing unemployment.
Unemployment remains a pressing concern for many nations and Uganda is no exception. With a population of over 40 million people, a youth population of at least 10 million youth in the country and according to a 2021 report by UBOS around 12% of the population is unemployed and a half of that are the youth. The emphasis on TVET in the new curriculum is strategic move to address this challenge head on. By providing students with technical and vocational training, the curriculum aims to equip them for meaningful employment or entrepreneurship. This proactive approach not only boosts individual prospects but also contributes to the overall economic growth of the nation.
Gender exclusivity and empowerment.
One of the remarkable aspects of Uganda’s focus on TVET is its potential to empower and promote gender exclusivity. Historically, technical fields have been male dominated but the new curriculum challenges those norms. This is being done by the enrollment process which is separate from the UNEB standards. The technical and vocational education enrollment is being supervised by its own board, UBTEB. By encouraging both male and female students pursue technical and vocational education. Uganda is fostering a culture of equality and breaking down traditional barriers.
Challenges faced during implementation and in technical vocational training.
There is a shortage on the teachers and tutors that is highly overlapped by the number of students enrolling each year. Joseph Kikomeko, the acting director for higher TVET at the ministry of education and sports said while Uganda has amassed TVET training institutions, there are not many TVET trainers in the country which is limiting the transmission of skills in the sector. Addressing this shortage requires a comprehensive approach. To bridge the gap the ministry of education and sports could consider initiative such as expanding teacher training programs in teaching colleges specifically tailored to TVET education. Encouraging partnerships with industries and inviting experienced experienced professionals to contribute as apart time instructors could also alleviate the shortage by providing students with insights from practitioners in the field.
Due to the introduction of compulsory entrepreneurship lessons in the schools, some of the schools up country lack resources to implement this in their teaching and day to day lessons. In urban areas, schools often benefit from a greater concentration of resources while schools in up country places frequently encounter resource limitation; insufficient access to modern teaching aids, books and internet connectivity which prevents the comprehensive delivery of entrepreneurship lessons This therefore sets the children in those areas at a disadvantage compared to the their counterparts in the urban areas.
Is technical and vocational education the future in Uganda?
TVET is undoubtedly positioned to play a pivotal role in shaping Uganda’s future particularly as the nation strives to strengthen its economic landscape and carve its path as an industrialized African country. As Uganda embraces its agro-based identity and envisions transformation into agro-industrial powerhouse, TVET emerges as a key driver of this ambitious journey. Industrialization requires a skilled workforce capable of mastering intricate technologies and processes and TVET’S emphasis on hands on learning and practical skills aligns perfectly with its vision. It will also be a source of innovative solutions, sustainable practices and economic growth. Their expertise will be the backbone of sectors such as agriculture, energy, construction and more contributing to the realization of Uganda’s industrialization goals.
