Policy for financing TEVET institutions coming

Government has disclosed that it will soon implement a new strategy policy for financing Technical Education Vocational and Entrepreneurship training (TEVET) institutions in the country.

Science , Technology and Vocational Minster Peter Daka says the new strategy will be in accordance with the national skills development plan which will be regularly revised and updated for the improved skills development in the country.

Speaking when he officiated at the opening of a one day conference for Zambia National Association of TEVET providers (ZNATP) in Lusaka today, Mr. Daka noted that TEVET has not been effective in executing its duties due to problems in financing most of the programmes.

Mr. Daka explained that despite government appointing a technical team to undertake a comprehensive review of the national TEVET policy, service delivery by providers has not improved hence the decision to have a new financing policy.

He said once the policy is implemented , it will change the way TEVET providers who include public and private colleges have been operating.

He disclosed that his Ministry is just waiting for cabinet to finalise and approve the policy document before it is made available to providers.

Meanwhile, Mr. Daka has cited lack of adequate resource as a major challenge in implementing the policy.

He assured the training providers in the country that government has started putting in place a number of inventions aimed at enhancing good service delivery by improving capacity building and strengthening management system.

Mr. Daka has since called on other stakeholders to partner with government in delivering good training skills which are in demand for the Labour force, adding that by so doing many people will be given a chance to contribute to the economic growth of the country because they will be employed.

And earlier ZNATP president Pascal Chewe bemoaned lack of government’s support to private training institutions in the country.

Mr. Chewe said most of private colleges are operating below standards because they lack proper linkages that can be monitoring them from government.

He said there is need for government to establish good working relations with training providers in the country, if the services are to be improvised.

He explained that training providers have to be made aware on the importance of working with government and contribute positively to the growth of the educational sector.

The ZNATP president however, urged conference participants to offer courses that are in line with the changing technology and compete favourably with other international private and public institutions.

ZANIS/MM/MKM/ENDS.