Over 157,000 Students Offer TVET Education In Ghana – Education Minister

The Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, has said that over 157,000 students offer TVET Education In Ghana. He shared that over 60,000 new students joined Government TVET schools for the 2023/2024 school year.

He added that before 2017, fewer than 20,000 students enrolled each year. According to him, this increase happened because TVET institutions were moved under the Ministry of Education, and the government started offering free TVET education.

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They also launched the MyTVET campaign to change how people see TVET in Ghana. Dr. Adutwum talked about this during the first TVET Symposium and the launch of the Second Edition of the Ghana TVET Report in Accra.

The symposium focused on how to improve TVET and create more jobs. Dr. Adutwum mentioned that the government has started many policies to improve TVET, like making new curriculum based on skills needed in the industry and investing in TVET buildings and training for teachers.

He also mentioned the Ghana Skills Development Fund (GSDF), which helps people get better skills for jobs. This fund aims to improve the skills of workers, especially women, low-income people, and those with disabilities. The government expects around 42,000 people to get jobs in private companies for six months because of this fund.

Dr. Fred Kyei Asamoah, from the Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET), talked about how their job is to make sure TVET education is working well. They publish reports every year to see how TVET is doing in Ghana. These reports help make better programs and policies for TVET and help Ghana’s development.

In Ghana, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is all about teaching practical skills that people need for jobs like farming, building, fixing things, and working in industries. It’s like learning by doing rather than just reading books. The country sees TVET as essential for helping its people find work and boosting the economy.

To make TVET better, the Ghanaian government has set up something called the Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (COTVET). This group’s job is to improve TVET across the country. They work with schools, businesses, and other organizations to make sure TVET programs are up-to-date and useful.

One big thing they’re doing is building more technical schools and improving the ones they already have. They want these schools to have good facilities and modern equipment so students can learn practical skills in a proper environment. They also provide training and support for teachers so they can teach better and keep up with the latest techniques and technologies.

But it’s not just about schools. The government and COTVET are also working closely with businesses and industries. They want students to get real-world experience while they’re still learning. So, they create partnerships between schools and companies where students can do internships or apprenticeships. This helps students learn what it’s really like to work in their chosen field and gives them a head start when they graduate.

However, there are challenges too. One big issue is money. TVET programs need funding to improve facilities, buy equipment, and train teachers. Sometimes, there’s not enough money to go around, which can slow down progress. Another challenge is changing people’s attitudes. In some communities, TVET is seen as a second-choice option compared to traditional academic education. Changing this mindset and showing the value of TVET is important for its success.

TVET in Ghana is vital for preparing people for jobs and driving economic growth. With the government’s support and collaboration between schools, businesses, and communities, TVET can continue to improve and provide opportunities for Ghana’s youth to succeed in the workforce.