Leaders in Kitagwenda District have intensified calls for parents and guardians to enroll more learners in local technical institutions, citing persistently low student numbers despite the availability of facilities within the district.
The Chairperson of Kitagwenda Town Council, Patrick Turyamureeba Payi, made the appeal on Wednesday while addressing district leaders, heads of schools and other stakeholders during the dissemination of Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) and Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) results at the district headquarters.
Kitagwenda District hosts two technical institutions — Kitagwenda Technical School and St. Joseph’s Kyarubingo Technical School — but leaders said both schools are operating below their expected capacity.
“It is unfortunate that we have well-established technical schools in our district, yet they are not fully utilized,” Patrick Turyamureeba Payi said.
“Some of our learners are choosing to enroll in technical institutions in neighboring districts when we have similar opportunities here at home.”
He emphasized that technical and vocational education plays a critical role in equipping young people with practical skills that can lead to employment and self-reliance.
“We must change the mindset of our communities. Not every child must follow the traditional academic path. Technical education provides hands-on skills that are directly relevant to the job market,” he added.
“As leaders, we have a responsibility to encourage parents and guardians to enroll their children in these institutions.”
Patrick Turyamureeba Payi urged education stakeholders to intensify community sensitization efforts to ensure that parents appreciate the value of vocational training.
“Let us promote our own institutions. If we support them through enrollment, we shall strengthen service delivery and create more opportunities for our youth,” he said.
The call comes at a time when both government and local authorities are promoting vocational and technical education as a strategic approach to tackling youth unemployment and fostering sustainable development.
District leaders pledged to strengthen mobilization campaigns at the grassroots level to ensure that the available technical schools are fully utilized and that more young people in Kitagwenda acquire practical skills for improved livelihoods.