TVET: Edo Govt Proposes Technical Schools In 18 LGAs

BENIN CITY 

The Edo Government says it is building at least one technical school in each of the 18 local government areas in the state to resuscitate Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

Dr Joan Osa-Oviawe, the state commissioner for education, announced this on Monday in Benin while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Osa-Oviawe said that government’s plan to mainstream VTET was aimed at exposing pupils right from primary school to handiwork.

“One of the key areas we are focusing under EdoBEST 2.0 (education reform) is Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

“We don’t just want to strengthen our TVET schools, we also now want to mainstream VTET so that from primary school, our pupils are exposed to handiwork.

“We call it pre-apprenticeship training. So, the one (pupil) that wants to go to TVET can go to.

“If they go to TVET, that doesn’t mean that is where their education stops; they can decide on to read medicine; they can decide on to go to polytechnic.

“It doesn’t matter. We just want to ensure the basic education as stipulated by the 2004 UBE Act is first 10 years of education is free and compulsory.

“So, by the time a student is graduating from JSS 3, we want them not only to be literate and numerate, we also want them to be skilled.

“So, by the time we are able to do that, Edo is going to be far ahead of everybody else,” she said.

The commissioner added that the state was in the process of formalising the informal skilled sector in the state.

She noted that going forward, the state would ensure that all electricians, plumbers, welders and tailors among other artisans operating in the state, work in line with the guidelines of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).

“So, for our informal apprenticeship sector, we want to link that with our adult education system.

“If you are already an artisan; a master craftsperson, but you don’t know how to read, we can send you to our adult education school; it is free. That is for those who are already established.