Kadaga tips on vocational training

Ugandans must embrace vocational training lest they are left to spectate as technology advances, the Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, has said.

With particular reference to Busoga region, the Speaker said vocational training, which will soon become compulsory, plays an important role in improving the education standard and poverty alleviation in the region.

Kadaga made the remarks while receiving a progress report from members of the Busoga Education Initiative in Parliament on Wednesday, 12 June 2019.

“In the future, we shall only need skilled people and if we do not start now, we shall be spectators,” said Kadaga.

She also expressed satisfaction with the progress that the region has made in uplifting its education standards since the launch of the Busoga Education Initiative last year.

“It is promising that in three to five years, education standards in Busoga that has for long been among the worst performing schools will improve,” said Kadaga.

The Chairperson of Busoga Education Initiative, Agnes Kadama Kalibala, said that since the initiative was launched, several organisations including unicef, Plan International, World Vision and the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council have extended support to the initiative.

She revealed that they had entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Teach Uganda to provide support to 17 schools in Mayuge District, the worst performing district in the region.  

“They will provide 37 teachers whom they will pay and provide for accommodation. This is expected to start next year,” said Kalibala, adding that  another organisation, Safe future, had pledged scholastic materials to 50 selected schools in Busoga region from primary one to primary seven.

“They will also provide lunch to 10 selected primary schools, high technology learning instruments in secondary schools, support schools with solar energy as well as provide sanitary towels to girls,” said Kalibala.

Busoga Education Initiative was launched last year in a bid to improve the education standards in Busoga region.