Plumbing Department

The plumbing section at the M.T.C actually started last year with 14 students and 2 instructors and the program was 3 months training, all graduated. The second group have13 students, 3 drop out leaving 10 continuing. The reason for drop out was that the 3 students were actually committed out side with their local industry. It was a repetition for them to attend classes and even practical work, the only solution for their problem was to give-up. They were like earning money enough to sustain them, so it was not helpful for them being in the school.

Conducting a conversation with Okenyi Clement, a man with 20 years of vocational experience, obtained his training in Germany explain to me his experience and challenges. The students who gave-up during the last 2 months were not actually feeling comfortable with the lesson conducted. The books used were very advance and not fitting their local needs and the best way to skip it is by giving up one’s studies. He says that, JICA, the supporting NGO at the center in reality is doing less in terms of training teachers and students in accordance with local needs. That is why, most students, including instructors are running away from their job. Bringing new models of books, machines during the last 3 years cause a lot of harm both for instructors and students living their job and studies. The teacher is send for 2 to 3 weeks or a month for training and that is enough which is actually giving more harm than good. The plumbing section actually at the center is going to be close next semester if no students turn up. Surprisingly, the only student remaining at the plumbing section is portrayed on the picture. There is a lot to be done in this section and this is a reality which is a challenge personal because even the qualified teacher did not want to join in this section but rather opt for masonry/building.

More still to come from other states where I am going for research in fews days.

Paul Tartisio K.