Obsolete equipment, infrastructure blights technical education

The lack of state-of–the art equipment and poor or no infrastructure in technical schools, have been identified as the limitations to technical education and Cameroon’s emergence by 2035.

The observations were highlighted during the 2015 edition of the open-door days for technical institutions recently celebrated in schools across Meme Division.

Several speakers, among them administrators, educationists and traditional rulers, on different platforms, admitted that the nation cannot enjoy the benefits of technical education, due to constraints in getting modern technology and the putting in place of suitable learning environments.

Speaking on the campus of Government Technical College, GTC, Bombe Bakundu, the Principal, Aghim Abunaw Obase, regretted that, irrespective of the opportunities technical education offers to the contemporary society in terms of employability, there are still setbacks in terms of infrastructure and equipment.

Citing his school as example, Abunaw lamented that inadequate infrastructure has limited the fields of studies some schools offer.

The Engineer, however, appreciated the efforts the State has put in place to market technical education in line with national policies through forums such as the open-door days.

He explained that open-door days represent a platform for technical institutions to show the world their capabilities, to in turn, attract more pupils from primary school to take interest in technical education.

Chief Rudolf Itoe of Bombe Bakundu, on his part, remarked that, despite the challenges identified, there is need to know the little support the State has offered in different areas.

The traditional ruler admitted that the future of technical education is positive, but urged all to understand that the demands on the State are everywhere.

According to an official of the Meme Delegation of Secondary Education, the open-door days equally give room for technical school students and stakeholders, alike,to gain renewed momentum for the future. The official stated that meeting up with the required changes in terms of training equipment needed by students may take some time, but Government has a road map to develop the sector.

Elizabeth Ngulefac, a female student of GTC Bombe Bakundu toldThe Post that she chose to take up building and construction(BC), a domain reserved for men, because, she hopes to become a career contractor.

The celebrations equally witnessed a display of construction works, building designs and other service fields undertaken by students.