The construction of eight science, technical, and vocational (STV) schools has commenced in Enugu State. Ndubueze Mbah, Commissioner for Education, announced the development during Wednesday’s inspection of work at the Government Technical College (GTC), Enugu, saying there would be three models of the science, technical, and vocational schools focusing on science and technology, building and architecture, and industrial agriculture.
He said Governor Peter Mbah’s administration was redirecting the focus of youths towards science, technical, and vocational education.
Said he: “As you could see, this historic institution established in 1948 has lost its former glory. The buildings all around us are in different stages of dilapidation.
“But we are happy to share with Ndi Enugu the good news that the Enugu State Government has already embarked on a very audacious education reform project to establish eight brand new Science, Technical, and Vocational Schools servicing SS1 to SS3 in the STVSMB category of schools, starting with GTC.
“The Governor believes that we are now in a new age of industry and technology. So, we want to bring back the lost glory of GTC, but making sure that it reflects the new opportunities and realities of industrialisation of economic development, and of youth empowerment.
“We will be establishing one new STV School in each of the eight Federal Constituencies in Enugu State over the next two years. The very first is being sited at this historic location, GTC, Enugu.
“The third model is the Science Technical and Vocational School of Industrial Agriculture”.
Mbah said the current administration planned to build an additional smart green school at the GTC to ensure easy implementation.
The Commissioner added that the vocational skills would include bricklaying, electricals, plumbing, and roofing.
On his part, Christopher Isife, Principal of GTC, described the college’s science, technical, and vocational school project “as a game changer for the long-forgotten and dilapidated institution”.
Stated he: “It has never been better in the past years of our existence as a college, but today, the talk-and-do governor has come to wipe away our tears.
“So, the GTC community, students, and teachers are very, very happy and we are grateful to him”.