The Ministry of Education and Sports has created a scholarship program to increase the participation of girls and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
According to the circular signed by Dr. Jane Egau, the Director of Higher Education, the scholarship program will provide funding for girls in six key programs at both the diploma and certificate levels.
Among the programs offered are automotive mechanics, welding and metal fabrication, machining technology, equipment maintenance, mechanical engineering technology, and road construction.
According to the Ministry, female applicants must have an O’level certificate with credits in mathematics, physics, and chemistry or a Uganda Community Polytechnic Certificate.
Students enrolling in technical colleges for diplomas must have two principal passes in relevant subjects at the same sitting of an A-level certificate or a national certificate course offered at several TVET institutions.
However, PWDs will have to have one principal pass from a relevant subject at A-level or a certificate from a Community Polytechnic school.
“Applicants must also be no older than 25 years old… Students already in their first year of study on private sponsorship or those with admission from a recognized institution are also encouraged to apply,” the circular reads in part.
According to Loy K. Abaine Muhwezi, the Commissioner for TVET Operations and Management, PWDs have the opportunity to participate without any limitations, as the government has not imposed any restrictions on their numbers and permits them to select their desired program.
Muhwezi states that the ministry has designated 90 openings specifically for girls, with 15 selected per group.
The commissioner notes that despite some concerns regarding the limited number of available slots, the ministry could not consider increasing the quantity due to the low levels of interest shown by females. She bases her argument on the fact that out of the 60 government-sponsored slots for TVET available in each public institution, only a minimal number of females showed interest in the program.
According to a report from the National Planning Authority, although enrollment in TVET increased to 45,153 in 2018 from 39,712 in 2014, female enrollment remained alarmingly low. This is concerning given that the unemployment rate among females is higher compared to males, and equipping females with skills is perceived as a transformative strategy.
Muhwezi says that the new scholarship, which is another sort of affirmative action program, is part of the government’s efforts to address this disparity, provide equal opportunities for all, and also encourage more girls to join the TVET sector.
In recent years, TVET has become increasingly recognized as a viable option for young people who want to acquire practical skills and secure employment.
In the past, parents often viewed TVET with skepticism, believing that it was only for students who were unable to excel academically.
Uganda’s competitiveness in the global skills arena has been attributed to technical education, although the low representation of girls and PWDs in many fields still raises concerns.
