Lands Minister Judith Nabakooba has underscored the importance of vocational institutes in the development of the country. Nabakooba who was presiding over the first graduation of Kampala ECDE Teacher Training and Vocational Institute (KETTI) in Makindye Division, Kampala that ran under a theme ‘minimising job seekers and maximising job creators’ said these institutions provide a unique opportunity for many Ugandans to attain specialised and professional skills in many different areas.
Nabakooba said majority Ugandans would also like to access professional training at the best Universities in the country and the region but it is very expensive and limited to a small number of vacancies.
“This is where Vocational Institutes like these come in. They are able to make it possible for everyone who wants to upgrade their skills to do so at a fee that is affordable. Over the years, we have actually realised that graduates from such institutes are far better than those from the mainstream universities,”
She added: “This is because the training and teaching in Vocational Institutes like these is very practical whereas other places tend to focus on theory largely. I therefore have no doubt that today, we are passing out a group of graduates who have the best skills in teaching.”
Ms Nabakooba reminded the graduates that they are being passed out at a time when Uganda is embarking on a serious developmental approach. She said the government has introduced the Parish Development Model as a strategy that will enable the country to transform from a peasant to a middle-income status.
“As Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development; I call upon all of you to join me in my campaign against illegal land evictions and harassment. I call upon the management of this institution to explore ways of including land issues in your training. Let our students be knowledgeable about land matters so that they are able to support their families and communities against illegal land grabbers.”
Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago also said vocational education is the best because learners go away with the skills. He commended the institution’s level of organisation saying it is rare to find an institution with a functional structure hierarchy of leadership, board of trustees and board of directors.
“Vocational education is the best because you go away with the skill. But what value addition do you pick. Make sure you can add value to society. This world does not want indolent people,” he shared.
