The Anyinam Applied Technology Institute, a modern public-funded Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centre in Eastern Region commissioned in November 2024 to train the youth in various technical and vocational skills, is struggling with low enrollment due to lack of classrooms and dormitory facilities.
The Institute is highly equipped with modern laboratories and workshops for 21st century skill training in Fashion, ICT, Food Technology, Electronic Engineering, and Woodwork Technology.
However, the school still has no completed classroom block.
A contractor working on the classroom project reportedly abandoned the site after the 2024 general elections but has recently returned to continue work.
In the meantime, workshops meant for practical training are being used as makeshift classrooms, a situation that exposes expensive equipment to possible damage.
Similarly, dormitory projects for both male and female students have stalled at various stages of completion.
The lack of accommodation has discouraged many prospective students from enrolling despite high interest from applicants across the country.
Currently, only 21 first-year students have reported in addition to 64 continuing students from the previous academic year.
READ: Mahama praises Haruna Iddrisu for championing inclusive education reforms
Principal of the Institute, Maame Yaa Rockson, said the school has been searching for a private facility to be used as hostel for the mean time but has not been successful.
She explained that “Currently, as you can see, there’s an ongoing project, and that’s the classroom facility. So, it means that we don’t have classrooms yet. We have all the labs with all the machinery and the equipment, and tools to train the students, but we are grateful to the government that the classrooms are ongoing, and we hope that things will speed up the process so that, come next academic year, we can recruit more students”.
Principal of the Institute, Maame Yaa Rockson, expressed optimism that enrollment will improve once the dormitories are completed.
“We also have dormitories. One of them is about 90% completed, and we know that we already have engaged the DCE, and he has assured us that pretty soon it will also be ready. So, these are areas that we have need, and we know that once we have already engaged the DCE, it will be facilitated for completion”.
The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Atiwa East, Ernest Owusu Ntim, said he has drawn the attention of the GETFund Administrator to the situation, resulting in the contractor’s return to site.
The DCE was quick to add that he is considering meeting the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, to equally notify him about the urgency of the situation.
He described the institute as a key intervention in the fight against illegal mining (galamsey) in the area, as plans are underway to introduce training programmes for the youth in the informal sector.
“If we get all the facilities in place, they intend to run evening programmes for our carpenters and others, who don’t have the formal education, so that all of them will have something like evening classes here. And then, we also have a plan to have most of the young guys in the town also come and study all this kind of stuff. So, it’s really, really, really going to help to shape those who are already in the wooden industry, the building industry, the electric car industry,and even those who actually want to do away with this illegal mining issue. So, actually, it’s something that is really going to help”. The DCE said.
Meanwhile, Dr. John Boakye Dankwa of the Canada-based Globe and System Consulting Firm, who visited the school, commended the facility, saying it has the requisite tools and infrastructure to deliver world-class technical and vocational training.
Dr. John Boakye Dankwa believes replicating similar models across the country will be a game changer for Ghana’s industrial revolution.
Management of Anyinam Applied Technology Institute is also seeking Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) accreditation to leverage its advanced food processing equipment to produce and package processed food for individuals and companies.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
