Govt plans 16 tech colleges, vocational centres

The Minister of State for Education, Prof Anthony Anwukah, has announced plans by the Federal Government to establish about 16 more technical colleges and vocational centres across the nation to foster entrepreneurship among youths.

He made this known while speaking at the ninth annual speech day and prize giving/valedictory ceremony of the Federal Science and Technical College (FSTC), Ijebu-Imusin, Ogun State.

Anwukah, who is currently on tour of all 21 technical colleges run by the Federal Government, said the aim of establishing more is to position the country to produce more skilled craftsmen and technicians who will be job creators.

He said: “I want to assure all here present at this occasion that Technical/Vocational Education is pivotal in our education policy. This is the reason why we are enforcing the 60 per cent/40 per cent ratio in our admission policy for Technical/Science in our FSTCs.  Effort is being made by the Federal Ministry of Education to ensure that Federal Science and Technical Colleges are built in states that are yet to have one and vocational training centres in local government areas. We are determined to move away from the production of job-seeker to job creators.”

Inaugurating new projects in the institution, including a fully equipped e-learning centre funded by the Universal Basic Education Committee (UBEC) and a block of toilets, the Minister said new projects have been approved in the 2016 appropriation bill for the college.

They are completion of perimeter fencing, renovation of the plumbing workshop, renovation of female hostel, and construction of ICT centre.

He charged the school to make the most of the new facilities and ensure their safety and maintenance, while advising the graduands to pursue success with determination to avoid being left behind by their peers.

Principal of the College, Mrs Anastasia Opara expressed gratitude to the government for its prompt attendance to the school’s calls, while calling for improvement in areas of construction of road network and drainage system, clinic, staff quarters, students’ bus, hostel renovation, among others.

To the graduands, Mrs Opara said: “I enjoin you to always remember you are a creature of excellence. Do not forget your alma mater. You are going into the wide world; you have to open your eyes wide. Be the best you can be by being on top of your class. Go out and set new records, because I know you can do it.”

Management consultant, Mrs Fola Ogunsola was guest speaker, while School Based Management Committee (SBMC) Chairman, Hon Wale Oshun, was Father of the day at the event.