The Ministry of Education will continue to strengthen programs to promote Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in secondary schools this year.
The ministry plans to provide quality vocational training centres in 13 secondary schools around the country which will cost a total of $200,000.
Director TVET at the Education Ministry, Ms Alumica Tuisawau said that to enhance technical vocational education, secondary schools have been provided with free TVET textbooks, tools, equipment and machines.
“This is to top up their existing equipment inventory. A portion of the MOE tuition grant that is given to secondary schools annually are meant specifically for TVET subjects,” Ms Tuisawau said.
“MOE had in 2012 introduced the mainstreaming of vocational courses in 62 secondary schools whereby students preparing for their Form 6 and Form 7 exams were given vocational skills training.”
Ms Tuisawau said that this had been gainful to the students as they gained a trade certification as well after the completion of the exams.
She added that more than 60 schools are set to introduce the course this year while the rest of the schools would come on board in 2014.
“All Secondary school students are exposed to some TVET subjects in schools at Form 3 and 4 levels. Some may choose to continue at higher forms while some choose other subjects. With the introduction of Mainstreaming of Vocational Courses in secondary schools, all students at Forms 5, 6 and 7 will go through vocational skills training whilst they pursue their Fiji School Leaving Certificate and Fiji Seventh Form Examination.”
The ministry has also assisted students who wish to further their TVET training at tertiary level, in paying their training fees.
“We do not get direct feedback from the universities on the students’ interest in regards to TVET courses but we are aware that quite a number of our vocational courses in schools are franchised to the Fiji National University (FNU).
“Many students enroll into these courses simply because once they are enrolled, they are assured of a place at FNU once they successfully complete their courses in school. In most cases, they complete stages 1 & 2 of a Trade Course in school and then complete at FNU,” Ms Tuisawau highlighted.
Stressing on the benefits of this training, the director said that students gain lifelong skills through TVET courses.
“These skills would be useful at home, in their communities or to pursue further tertiary qualification. TVET students are also being taught entrepreneurship where they are taught how to start a small business.
“With the trade skills they gain, if they are not able to find employment, they could start a small business from home in automotive, baking, carpentry and joinery depending on the trade they have acquired while in school,” Ms Tuisawau added.
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