By Landing Colley
National Association of Vocational and Skills Training Institution (NAVSTI) umbrella body of all training institutions has called for government support through the Ministry of Higher Education. The call was as a result of not receiving any support since the coronavirus pandemic hits the country in March.
Speaking at the press conference held at the association’s secretariat, Abdoulie Sowe, chairman of NAVSTI said their gathering was meant to express their frustration and disappointment over the continuing closure of skill centres across the country. And also, the lack of support from the regulatory bodies – NAQAA and government, since all training institutions were closed.
“The closure has negative impact over the institutes, trainers, studies and the economics of this country at large,” he said. He noted that during this period the institution has not generates any revenue.
According to him, as important sector in the socio-economic growth of this country they were expecting government to have package for educational institutions that will cover them, but unfortunately they were fairly left out.
He said: “It is an open secret that majority of these institutions can no longer pay their staff that also have family to feed. Our students are also sitting at home not engage in any meaningful skills. This could lead to high unemployment.”
If this impact is not considered, he said it might ultimately led to permanent closure of some training schools as majority of the institutes are dying gradually and government has done nothing to support them.
“We felt neglected and abandoned as a very important partner to the government in term of national development. And as TVET center, we taking the responsibility of the government because it is the responsibility of the government to train its citizen,” he added.
