Lack of school fees forcing youths out of vocational training

By Denish Ongora (denish.ongora@vol.co.ug)

Lira

Majority of students who are undergoing vocational skills training in Lira city are at the verge of dropping out of school due to difficulties in paying school fees.

Voice of Lango reporters, Denis Ongora and Michael Oboke conducted a mini survey in some of the vocational training centers in Lira city and found that some of the students dropped out of school when the coronavirus hit the country while some have not returned for this year’s third term.

Susan Angom from Living hope beauty salon located on Rwot Aler road said she enrolled 30 students this third term and currently has a total of 43 students.

Angom said she charges 600,000 shillings for a period of six months but she allows her students to pay fees in installments due to difficulties that their parents face in raising money.

Ogwang Calvin the manager of Victory outreach garage said they are training 40 students but three have failed to pay fees for this term.

Ogwang said they charge 1 million shillings for a period of two years but also allow their students to pay fees in installment.

The chairperson Lira city tailors association Denis Alado asked parents to allow their children attain secondary level of education before enrolling them for tailoring course since the course requires deep knowledge in mathematics.

Anna Okello a tailor at Lira main market said she trains 14 students but most of them are not paying fees on time.

She cautioned parents against forcing their children to go for vocational training since they may abandon the course before completion.

Ajal Betty Obua a fashion designer said most of the students they are training lack knowledge in mathematics which is essential in the training.

Director of Abono welders located on Oyam road Lawrence Okello said they admitted many students during the coronavirus pandemic and they allow them to pay fees in installment.

Some of the students acknowledged that they were being forced by their parents to go for vocational training against their will.

Meanwhile, Moses Anyuru who is undergoing training in welding and metal fabrication, and some other students doing tailoring and garment cutting said they want to get trained to become trainers to other youths.