Media can attract youth towards TVET, say experts

KARACHI, June 19, 2013: Experts at a seminar have asked the media persons to educate the masses about the importance of being skilled and help eradicate the social stigma attached to technical and vocational education and training (TVET).

Speaking at a one-day seminar on TVET, organized by Sindh Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (STEVTA) here on Wednesday at Karachi Press Club, the experts both from local and international organizations underlined the need for long term engagement of the media to undo negative perceptions towards TVET as well as presenting it as a decent career path.

The seminar was supported by the TVET Reform Support Program, co funded by the European Union, the embassy of Kingdom of Netherlands and Federal Republic of Germany and being implemented by the GIZ. Journalists both from electronic and print media attended the seminar, which was held to create awareness about TVET sector and the opportunities, which can help youth, being a major segment of the society, to attain employable skills.

STEVTA Director Operations Syed Nazar Ali opened the seminar. He told the audiences about the initiatives of STEVTA taken for the betterment of the technical education system in Sindh. He lamented that despite the fact TVET sector offers more prospects of employability than the general stream of education, but unfortunately because of the social and cultural taboos, people do not prefer to send their kids to the TVET schools. He asked the media to help the government in addressing this negative perception and also inform the masses about the opportunities in the TVET sector.

Raja Saad Khan, National Deputy Coordinator TVET Reform Support Programme gave a background of the TVET reform initiatives being undertaken across Pakistan. He threw light on some of the major issues prevailing in Pakistan regarding the status of technical and vocational education. He said that media can play a pivotal role in creating awareness about importance and utility of the TVET.

Dr. Masroor Ahmed Shaikh, Director Academics and Training STEVTA gave a briefing about the initiatives taken by STEVTA during last six years. STEVTA has 265 institutes all over the province. The programs which they offer include B.Tech, Post DAE Diploma, DCOM, DIT, Vocational Diplomas and short courses. He told the audiences that STEVTA has taken many major initiatives such as curriculum up-gradation through German experts, institutional infrastructural development, and faculty development through technical training at National Institute of Science and Technical Education (NISTE).