Needless to say, technical schools across the nation are not the most popular choice. There are only about 132 technical colleges compared to the thousands of secondary schools across the country. The idea that technical education is inferior to senior secondary education is accepted by many parents and teachers for reasons ranging from the craze for white collar jobs to the reported underfunding of technical colleges.
However, the need for vocational and technical skills all over the world is increasing day by day. Parents and students, who go against the grain, making a case for technical education, say that they are more interested in effectiveness than paper qualification.
For them, the world has gone beyond, ‘what credentials do you have?’ to ‘what can you actually do?’
Kayode Bamidele is a technical student who hopes to start his own electrical engineering workshop after his studies.
He told Saturday School Life, SSL: I choose to attend technical school because of their hand work and quality studies. From my own opinion about technical school, I have been able to make things on my own for example I can do some electrical connections had it been I attended secondary school I wouldn’t have gotten to this level, the school is practically based.
My friends are thinking that attending a technical school is where I will end but that’s not what it really means. The school equipment are of good standard and I am sure that after my training I am sure that I will be able to put what I am being taught into practice.” Raji sheriff chose to attend a technical school’s because of his goal to be an upholsterer. According to him, “in secondary school they don’t teach such practical things but in technical school they teach both theory and practical.
My area of study is furniture design and craft. The reaction of people towards my choice is good because of my ability to do wonderful things. Even now, I can make quality furniture.” A parent, Mr. Akpuluku James told SSL,that he had always planned to send his son to a technical school. He said: “With the current rate of unemployment, the crux is about being creative or skillful. Without that you are alone. My friends have questioned me about this, but I know what will be good for my son.
Looking at the state of technical education in the country at the moment, I would say that there have been a lot of reforms. And I don’t have any doubt that when he is done, he would be able to get admission to any tertiary institution of his choice.” Another parent Mrs. Ayoola Sade, said two of her children are currently in technical colleges. She said: “I choose to send them to the technical school because it is creatively oriented. From my children I observed that there is a very big change in the technical school through the creative innovations of my children.
My plan after their technical education is to send them to the tertiary institution whether it’s a polytechnic or university. When they are done, even if they can’t get jobs, they can empower themselves instead of running about carrying files in a bid to find jobs. The problem with parents is that some are ignorant about this technical education and this has deprived their children the chance of being independent and carving out their own future.”
Francis Ani is yet another parent in support of technical learning. He said: “Technical schools are my passion, I am looking forward to sending my children to technical school as soon as they are of age. I have realized that in this day and age, the emphasis is on technical schools, on what you can do with your hands. All over the world, people don’t really care about paper qualifications anymore, but about skills. I am already grooming my older son to learn vocational skills. It is true that some people say that technical schools are not properly funded but I will find one that is well equipped to send my children there.”
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