The students of Nalwire Technical Training Institute in Busia district are disappointed because the institute has not fully reinstated practical lessons despite the high fees they pay.
Moses Kirya, the Guild President, expressed his discontent during a meeting with the education policy review commission led by former education minister Nuwe Amanya Mushega.
The students highlighted a shortage of tutors for vocational lessons and lack of necessary equipment for hands-on lessons, which led to practical lessons being replaced with theoretical ones.
The student leaders also mentioned that students face consequences such as point deductions and retakes when they express their opinions due to the lack of freedom of expression at the institute.
Peace Nekesa, a student pursuing a plumbing course, revealed that they often have to mobilize funds as plumbing learners to buy their own equipment for effective practical use. This is particularly unfair considering the high tuition fees of Shs 700000 they pay.
Nalwire Technical Institute, which caters to a large number of students from Bukedi sub-region, is in need of government intervention to provide conducive learning buildings, internet access, enough instructors, and adequate water supply.
On the other hand, Francis Wenani, the principal of Nalwire Technical Institute, attributed the issues to parents' failure to clear tuition on time so that the institute could purchase practical material. He also mentioned that the government has allocated over Shs.7 billion to revamp the institute in the current financial year.
It's worth noting that in 2008, learners at the same Nalwire Technical Institute went on a rampage due to the failure of the institute to offer hands-on lessons.
