More vocational schools needed: MP

GOVERNMENT should establish vocational training schools in every region, said Councillor Henock Kankoshi when he contributed to the debate on the Vocational Education and Training Bill in the National Council yesterday.

Kankoshi said vocational training was needed in Namibian communities so that those pupils who did not make it to Grade 11 and 12, or tertiary education, could be gainfully employed instead of becoming a burden to society. “There is a need to establish VTSs in each of the 13 political regions in order to keep our youth busy and equip them with vocational skills which will guide and empower them for life, so that they will be responsible citizens, contributing to the economic development of their country,” Kankoshi said.He said every year many pupils were not admitted to Grade 11 or further studies.For example, Kankoshi said, 1 157 pupils did not get promoted to Grade 11 in the Oshikoto Region last year.”If 1 157 in Oshikoto Region failed Grade 10 and some candidates did not qualify for admission to institutions of higher learning, how many failed in other regions,” he asked.”If you add the number of all grade 10 and 12 failures from all regions you will be disappointed to know the total number of learners who are in urgent need of vocational training, which will enrich them with various life-long practical skills,” Kankoshi said.”There is a need to establish VTSs in each of the 13 political regions in order to keep our youth busy and equip them with vocational skills which will guide and empower them for life, so that they will be responsible citizens, contributing to the economic development of their country,” Kankoshi said.He said every year many pupils were not admitted to Grade 11 or further studies.For example, Kankoshi said, 1 157 pupils did not get promoted to Grade 11 in the Oshikoto Region last year.”If 1 157 in Oshikoto Region failed Grade 10 and some candidates did not qualify for admission to institutions of higher learning, how many failed in other regions,” he asked.”If you add the number of all grade 10 and 12 failures from all regions you will be disappointed to know the total number of learners who are in urgent need of vocational training, which will enrich them with various life-long practical skills,” Kankoshi said.