Educators and technical experts have called for a mindset shift around vocational and technical education, challenging long-standing misconceptions that portray it as a refuge for academic failures.
Speaking during the annual alumni reunion at Uganda Technical College (UTC) Bushenyi, scholars stressed that technical education is intellectually demanding and scientifically grounded—not a last resort for the less gifted.
“The science behind technical education isn’t for the dull. It’s just people’s poor mindset that continues to spread these misconceptions,” said Eng. Julius Ryazokire, a lecturer at Kyambogo University.
Uganda’s Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) policy was designed to equip learners with practical, market-driven skills to combat unemployment and promote entrepreneurship.
Government planners see TVET as a strategic path to increased productivity, self-reliance, and household income generation.
Yet negative public perceptions persist, especially among parents and students who still view theoretical university education as more prestigious.
“University education is good, but it is general and not specific. That’s why we have high levels of unemployment in the country,” noted Sam Byagweri, Principal of UTC Bushenyi.
“In technical education, you obtain targeted and employable skills.”
Participants at the reunion called for an end to stereotypes that technical schools are only for boys or for those who perform poorly in exams. They argued that such views are outdated and harmful.
“These wrong narratives I hear in public should have stopped like yesterday,” Ryazokire added.
“I remember one of my friends was dumped by his girlfriend just because he joined a technical institution. But right now, I can tell you—they’re incomparable in life.”
Unlike many universities, technical institutions are lauded for aligning education with industry needs.
Their graduates are better positioned to enter the workforce directly, either as skilled employees or entrepreneurs.
Doreen Kukunda, a civil engineer at the Ministry of Works and Transport and a UTC alumna, said her technical background opened doors that theory-based learning alone might not have.
“I studied at a technical school, and today I’m an engineer working with the Ministry of Works. I especially encourage girls to join technical education—it often leads to instant employment,” she said.
At the event, stakeholders also called for more government and institutional incentives to support girls pursuing technical courses.
“So we’re here to galvanize morale for parents and girls to embrace technical education and to remind everyone that it isn’t just for men,” said Arthur Magoba, president of the UTC Bushenyi alumni association.
“Women can also become great engineers. We urge them to consider this path seriously when making career choices.”