By M.A. Egge
The President of the Republic of Somaliland, His Excellency Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro has underscored the fact that there was a need to equip the youth with technical and applied skills to cater for the demands of skilled manpower in the country.
The Head of State made the remarks as he inaugurated on Wednesday a symposium on the National Conference to Promote Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes in the country.
The congress was convened under the auspices of the Ministry of Education, Training and Science.
It was attended by several members of the cabinet ministers, parliamentarians, academicians and associated dignitaries.
President Abdirahman Irro noted the imperativeness and the importance of skills for development and the need to equip young people with the technical know-how needed as he addressed the conference.
He stated, “In order to reduce unemployment, we must teach our youth vocational and technical skills and invest in them and the sector hence further encourage them to come up with their own ideas to create necessary jobs.”
The President disclosed that his administration would increase the budget allocated to the TVET sector.
He said, “The Government of the Republic of Somaliland will increase the budget for the technical and vocational education and training related to industrial, agricultural, constructions, and associated technologies.”
He was convictional that the government is committed to equipping the youth with the skills necessary for the development of the nation.
The President pointed out that aligning Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) with the needs of the labor market is not merely an educational reform but indeed investment in the future of the country.
According to a press release by Presidential spokesman Hussein Deyr, the conference is expected to yield recommendations and guidelines that would contribute to the reform and modernization of the Vocational and Technical Education and Training Curriculum in order to produce skilled citizens who can meet the needs of the labor market.