Vocational institute introduces Electronics course for girls
The Accra Girls Vocational Institute at Tesano has introduced a new programme in Electronics for its female students. The programme was hitherto undertaken only by male students.
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The Principal of the Institute, Ms Edna Boafo, who disclosed this in an interview with the media in Accra at the weekend, noted that the new programme was a pilot programme which was being sponsored by Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the German Technical Cooperation Agency (GTZ) and Samsung Electricals.
She added that the programme was specifically designed to encourage females to pursue technical courses which had been traditionally perceived as a male-dominated trade area, and said now it was a vibrant field that provided gainful employment for both male and female students after training.
She said following the introduction of the electronics course for girls, the GTZ had been interacting with the students and the school’s authorities, adding that, it was in line with the government’s effort to mainstream gender in technical and vocational education.
She said the project would prepare the girls in sale, installation and repairs of electrical appliances, thereby preparing them for a career in electronics, adding, ’‘we are proud to be one of the only four schools in Ghana to pilot such a novelty course for females in Ghana.’’
She further stated that as part of co-curricular activities, the electronics students would go for internship programmes and work with Samsung to give them exposure and prepare them for the real world of work.
Informal sector
The principal further hinted that under the auspices of the Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (COTVET), and with support from the German Government, the institute is now extending the training to the informal sector, indicating that last year 15 master craftsmen and 15 were trained apprentices in cosmetology –Hair and Beauty.
She said some of the achievements over the years had been the good pass rates of the students which had earned the institute recognition for academic excellence by the National Vocation Training Institute (NVTI) and Technical Exams Unit of the Ghana Education Service (GES), providing the school with the opportunity to get accreditation to run advanced level courses in catering, dressmaking and designing, hairdressing and cosmetology.
She said to broaden the horizon of the students, generic subjects such as English, Mathematics, Integrated Science, Entrepreneurial Skills, Computer and Social Studies were taught at the institute.
The principal noted that technical training, computer and vocational courses were very important programmes that could help address the unemployment challenges confronting the nation.
On co-curricular activities, she said the school was one of the best in sports, especially in athletics. She hinted that in future, it would introduce short and part-time courses for workers and adults in any of their subjects and trades.
