Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has expressed concern over the low participation of females in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes across the country.
Speaking during a monitoring visit to the ongoing nationwide TVET Certificate II examination in Koforidua, Mr Iddrisu underscored the need for increased investment in technical and vocational education to enhance youth employability and bridge gender gaps in the sector.
“The employability question – we have to invest more in technical and vocational education, invest more in hands-on training in order to equip our young people for the competitive world of work,” he stated.
The Minister was accompanied by the Director General of TVET, Dr Eric Nkansah, and Mrs Sulemana Zakaria of the Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET). The visit was aimed at ensuring a smooth start to the nationwide exams and to encourage candidates to approach the process with confidence and integrity.
Mr Iddrisu revealed that about 55,000 students are sitting for the examination, with approximately 14,000 being females and fewer than 50 being persons with special needs.
“It means that TVET is still not gender friendly in Ghana or female friendly. We need to do more to whet the appetite of our young girls to want to take TVET as an alternative route for education,” he said.
READ: A/R TVET Exams: TVET a key driver of Ghana’s development – Apaak
The Minister also raised concerns about the growing trend of examination malpractice, particularly the use of mobile phones to cheat, which he described as worrying. While not specific to TVET, he urged stakeholders to work together to tackle the problem before it worsens.
“I am particularly concerned about a new growing phenomenon of phone cheating during exams. It means that parents, students and probably even supervisors may be looking on or it may be happening on their blind side. We all have to work together to nip that in the bud,” he cautioned.
READ: Apaak commiserates with families of students killed in Nkwanta shooting incident
The ongoing exams are part of national efforts to boost technical skills and promote TVET as a viable educational and career path for Ghana’s youth.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Risa Wyettey Cofie
