FG renews commitment to knowledge, skill education – Minister

Akpan Umoh, Uyo

The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to providing knowledge and skills-driven education to the youth for the rapid economic and industrial growth of the nation.

The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, stated this in Uyo on Thursday in his address at the closing ceremony of the Technical and Vocation Education Training (TVET) Camp for girls.

Mamman said that the purpose of the TVET camp for girls is to stimulate the innovative and creative abilities of female students and encourage healthy competition among them.

He added that the camp would also arouse and sustain the students’ interest in skills acquisition and entrepreneurship through technical and vocational education.

He said that the present administration was determined to produce students with certificates and skills so that they would be self-employed after graduation.

“As you all know, the 21st-century world of work is knowledge and skills-driven driven requiring a globally competitive skilled workforce.

“The government of the day is recognising skills acquisition and development as pivotal to the rapid economic and industrial growth of the nation, and the role of women in nation building,” Mamman said.

The minister urged the female students to sit up, adding that statistics from examination bodies in the country have shown a decrease in female students’ performance.

Mamman said that the Ministry of Education is determined to pay a little more attention to female students in the area of skills development to compete favourably with male students.

“I have the great belief that all the girls are not going back after the training the way they were, when they came in, with what I observed while going on tour earlier.

“I am proud to say the future of our great nation is very assured, as we have made the training of our young ones and the female youth a priority,” he said.

The minister commended the African Development Bank for partnering with the Federal Ministry of Education on the project.

In her remarks, Mrs Idongesit Etiebet, Commissioner for Education in Akwa Ibom said that the TVET camp is geared toward stimulating female students’ interest in technical and vocational education through the acquisition of relevant skills.

Etiebet urged the young girls to go back with the knowledge gained and add value to themselves in their future endeavours. She commended the minister of education for bridging the skills gap, as well as creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment in the country.