The Anambra State House of Assembly has called on Governor Chukwuma Soludo to direct the Ministry of Education and other relevant agencies to urgently revitalize and re-equip government technical colleges across the state to strengthen technical and vocational education, skill acquisition and youth empowerment.
The call followed a motion sponsored by the member representing Onitsha North one Constituency, Honourable. Mimi Azikiwe, who expressed concern over the deteriorating condition of government technical colleges across the three senatorial zones.
Barrister Azikiwe noted that the institutions were established to promote technical and vocational education but regretted that many of them were currently faced with deplorable facilities, non-functional workshops and laboratories, inadequate equipment, dilapidated buildings and an acute shortage of technical instructors.
According to her, the situation has contributed to declining student enrolment, loss of public confidence and poor skill acquisition, contrary to the industrialisation and youth empowerment objectives of the Solution Government.
She warned that failure to urgently address the challenges could undermine the purpose of establishing the colleges and leave graduates without the practical skills required to secure employment or become self-reliant.
Contributing to the motion, the Minority Leader, Hon. Johnbosco Akaegbobi; Kingsley Udemezue; Fred Ezenwa; Nonso Atuchukwu; Patrick Okafor; Tony Muobuike; Majority Leader, Hon. Ikenna Ofodeme; Deputy Majority Leader, Hon. Jude Akpua; Emma Nwafor; Henry Mbachu; Chidiebele Ibemeka; Augustine Ike; and Chief Whip, Hon. Jude Ngobili, supported the call for urgent intervention.
The lawmakers emphasised the importance of technical and vocational skills in tackling unemployment, promoting entrepreneurship and preparing young people for the demands of the modern labour market.
Some members, who disclosed that they were products of technical colleges, cited countries such as China, Canada, Morocco and the United States as examples of economies where skilled professionals play significant roles in driving industrial development.
They stressed that practical skills acquisition remains an important pathway to economic empowerment and poverty reduction, urging the governor to accord the revitalisation of the institutions priority attention.
Commending the sponsor of the motion, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, who presided over plenary, read the House resolution urging Governor Soludo to direct the Ministry of Education and relevant agencies to urgently assess, rehabilitate and equip government technical colleges across Anambra State.
The resolution specifically called for the provision of modern facilities, functional workshops and laboratories, as well as adequate technical instructors to ensure effective teaching and practical training.
Angel Network News (ANN) reports that the House adjourned plenary and is expected to reconvene next Tuesday November 10th.
