There is always a gap between theory and practical in many disciplines including education, more especially, in technical education system.
A number of factors that contribute to this gap between theory and practical can be identified. But the most threatening is the lack of qualified personnel to champion the practical aspect of our technical education included within the technical curriculum.
This is a very challenging task in our technical education bracket because of its inherently interdisciplinary nature.
But, how can the theory-practical gap be reconciled?
To start, educators must be able to continually assess their programmes to ensure they are up-to-date and consistent with current practical-theory in vogue world over. This assessment informed the decision of the Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu led Abia State government to, in collaborate with National Board for Techinal Education(NBTE), organize a five(5) days national skills acquisition and certification training for Abia Technical and Vocational Education Training(TVET) personnel, which was sponsored by Ford Foundation.
Technical education is a term applied to schools, institutions, and educational programs/system that specialize in the skilled trades, applied sciences, modern technologies, and career preparation.
In his campaign promises, Abia Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu vowed to promote the ‘can-do-spirit’ and entrepreneurial instinct of Abia people and Abia entirely, especially the youths. And having made SME one of his pillars of development, the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has decided to bridge the gap between theory and practical in technical education. Hence, he has not relented in ensuring that Abia people gain technical education with practical, and not theory alone as the case had been.
First of all, he established and launched Education for Employment (E4E) Scheme in September, 2015, a scheme that aims at training youths on several skill acquisitions coordinated by an able mind, Mr. Endi Ezengwa (Chairman, Kiara College). The programme has already graduated 460 youths who received certificates from the National Board for Technical Education, otherwise known as NBTE, a board of education, which supervises, regulates and oversees educational programmes offered by technical institutions at secondary.
Obviously, Education for Employment (E4E ) serves as the tool in the hands of Dr. Ikpeazu being used to change the future and fortune of Abia youths.
The recent ground breaking ceremony of the Dangote Education for employment (E4E) Job Centre at Okpuala Ngwa in Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area of the state has given a boost to the pledge of the Ikpeazu led administration to offer technical and vocational education training to 100 thousand youths
Last year, the State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu assured the graduands of the empowerment programme of the Executive Chairman of Isialangwa North, Chief Ginger O. Onwusibe, that Abia State government will purchase with five hundred thousand Naira each, the products of the first ten persons among them. That gesture certainly serves as another form of encouragement and moral booster to the entrepreneurs. Furthermore, during the 2018 Democracy Day celebration, the Governor reiterated his promise to ensure government patronize the youths who graduate from the skill acquisition centres in the State.
It is crystal clear that the Governor’s intension is to enhance technical education through E4E and gradually grow the economy of the State. This shows that Dr. Ikpeazu’s empowerment strategy is very much different from others as he aims at empowering people via a lifetime empowerment strategy.
This is why the government stresses much on acquiring real skills for its citizens other than forcing youths into transport businesses that do not last.
It is in line with this that government took many youths overseas, particularly, Turkey and China to learn modern shoe-making techniques to make them understand what real empowerment means. And for the Governor, the greatest achievement in that regard is that these artisans have been to Turkey and China to see things for themselves and learn from their counterparts over there.
It is note worthy that the Governor did not just introduce the artisans to the modern shoe and garment-making and other skills but has taken it upon himself to lead the campaign beyond the shores of Nigeria.
Indeed, Abia State government under the able leadership of Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu is gradually empowering its people and growing the economy of the State through Education for Employment (E4E). In order to sustain this, there is need for all to get their PVC ready for Ikpeazu’s reelection. Reelecting Dr Okezie Ikpeazu would certainly create more opportunities for more people to benefit from Education for Employment and be able to stand on their own.
It has therefore become imperative for all hands to be on deck in supporting this genuine effort of the Governor in changing the narrative of entrepreneurship and empowerment in Abia through Education for Employment (E4E).
UBANI NEWMAN UBANI,
Senior Special Assistant to the Governor,
(New Media)
02/06/2018.