ST. JOSEPH’S TECHNICAL INSTITUTE KISUBI HAS BENEFITED FROM :fk (fredskorpset / peace corps) EXCHANGE PROGRAM.
Fredskorpset – also known as FK Norway – is a Norwegian governmental body under the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign affairs. Fredskorpset (FK Norway) facilitates the mutual exchange of personnel between organizations and business in Norway and Africa, Asia and Latin-America.
The partners in this exchange are Telemark County Municipality-Norway and the Ministry of Education and Sports-Uganda. Rjukan Upper Secondary school is the coordinating centre between the partners. In Uganda, the schools involved are: St. Joseph`s Technical Institute, Kings College Budo and Mengo Senior School. In Norway it’s Rjukan, Notodden, Lunde Upper Secondary Schools in Telemark County Municipality that are involved.
St Joseph Technical Institute (Kisubi), offer the following Courses:
- Brick laying and Concrete Practice
- Carpentry and Joinery
- Electrical Instalation
- Motor Vehicle Mechanics
- Plumbing in East Africa
All the above mentioned courses are done in two years at craft one level and one year at advanced level. The Institute also runs a Diploma program with the following courses;
- ODC – Ordinary diploma in civil engineering
- ODM – Ordinary diploma in mechanical engineering
- ODE – Ordinary diploma in electrical engineering
- ODD – Ordinary diploma in drawing & Draftsman ship (Architecture)
Since the inception of this exchange, the following three teachers from St. Joseph’s Technical Institute have taught in Norway schools; Charles Kalema, John Waswa and Daniel Kasozi. Edward Kajumba is the next participant for 2010 – 2011. These teachers have learnt many things in the Norwegian education system and these includes;
- Embracing vocational education as a way forward for Uganda’s development,
- Attaching students to the labour markets ie Industries and companies while teachers closely supervise / follow up, which helps both the teachers and students to acquire new technology that is used in the job market.
- Using practical training method to teach vocational subjects and taking students out to work in the community so that they can test the challenges involved in their respective professions while still at school.
- Helping students to be creative, innovative and have entrepreneurial skills which can help them create their own jobs after school.
- To appreciate our culture and to love our country,
St. Joseph’s Technical Institute Kisubi as a whole has also benefited;
The Institute (Teachers and Students) is exposed internationally.
Several machines, tools, desktop computers, laptops, have been donated by our partner schools and colleagues from Norway.
Teachers and student have built their capacities in many ways through attending seminars, workshops, and interacting with Norwegian.
A tremendous improvement in attitude towards work and change among students and teachers can be observed though a lot has to be done to bring everybody on board.
The issue of gender balance was addressed in 2002 which made the founders to change a very old tradition since 1911 that St. Joseph’s Technical Institute was only for boys. The institute now admits girls in all courses and in support for gender balance in vocational education in Uganda, Norwegian students from Notodden upper secondary school in Telemark Norway solicited funds to support the construction of a girl’s dormitory which was completed last year and now accommodates close 100 girls.
A culture and spirit of maintenance and repair has been developed, as a result renovations of buildings are going on and these include; Chapel, Toilet, Carpentry & Joinery workshop, Plumbing workshop and some classes. This is done by both teachers and students.
Education for sustainable development has been introduced and practical projects to support the idea have been started. These include Garbage sorting, plastic recycling, poultry keeping, brick making and tree planting. These are part of the institute’s program and are carried out by both teachers and students.
The Principal and Teachers of St. Joseph’s Technical Institute Kisubi are doing all whatever is possible to improve, strengthen and uplift vocational education and training in Uganda. However we still face some challenges and these include;
· Financial constrains,
· Poor attitude towards vocational studies in Uganda,
· Lack of modern tools, equipments and machines.
We call upon all stake holders in vocational education and the entire country to support us in order to make vocational education more relevant to the demands of the job market both nationally and internationally.
Written by;
Kasozi Daniel
Teacher St. Joseph’s Technical Institute Kisubi
Email; jobtech2008@yahoo.co.uk
Mob; 0772640438 or 0752640438 or 0700512686.