Ghanaians urged to change negative attitude to technical education

Accra, Oct. 20, GNA - Mr Michael Nsowah, Acting Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES), noted on Thursday that Ghana could achieve the dream of becoming a middle-income country if citizens changed their negative attitude to technical and vocational education. He expressed surprise at the number of parents seeking placement in secondary schools for their children when 90 per cent of technical and vocational schools were practically empty.

Speaking at a book presentation ceremony by the Canadian High Commissioner to three technical institutes, Mr Nsowah said a firm base for technical and vocational education would provide the country with the needed manpower.

"The need has come for us to synthesize ourselves on the importance of technical and vocational education," he said.

The beneficiary institutions are Accra Technical Training Centre, Kumasi Technical Institute and the Bolgatanga Technical Institute. Scores of parents have been marching to the GES daily since the new Computer Selection and Placement System failed to place their children in secondary schools.

The books were donations from the Growing Communities and Nations of Regina and the Regina Industrial Parks Rotary Club in Canada. Mr Nsowah appealed to other charitable organizations and the industrialists in Ghana to donate to technical institutes. Mr Donald J. Bobiash, Canadian High Commissioner, said the donation of the books was an initiative by Dr Elizabeth Cooper and Mr Don Schneider of Regina Rotary Club and Mr John Budu-Smith, a retired Director-General of GES.