Vocational training benefits over 180 youths

DAR ES SALAAM: MORE than 180 youths with intellectual disabilities in Morogoro Region have benefited from a vocational skills training project.

The four-year initiative, implemented by Kihonda Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA), Bigwa Folk Development College (FDC) and Ifakara FDC, was sponsored by the government of Finland.

Speaking shortly after the presentation of the report on the project’s implementation at a working session hosted by the Institute of Adult Education (IAE) in Dar es Salaam, the Executive Director of the Mafiga Women and Youth Development Organisation (MWAYODEO), Mr Venance Mlali said a total of 181 youths have participated in the project, which began in 2019 and covers various fields including tailoring, cooking and carpentry.

“When we started this project, we set a goal to reach 150 youths with intellectual disabilities, but we have been able to reach 181 people in Morogoro Region, which is an increase of 31 people from our earlier target,” he said.

He said despite the success, the challenges persist, saying some parents and guardians don’t believe that the persons with intellectual disabilities can be able to learn various things.

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Mr Mlali urged parents and the community to stop the practice of confining children with intellectual disabilities at home and instead they should take them to places designated for their educational development.

Mr Mlali also implored the government to continue collaborating with various stakeholders to promote vocational skills for youths with intellectual disabilities.

Giving evaluations of a study conducted during the project, Dr Gervas Kawonga from Mkwawa University College of Education noted that vocational skills, particularly decoration, arts and crafts are more suitable for youths with intellectual disabilities.

“Results revealed that 93(57 per cent) of the respondents suggested that vocational skills, arts and craft, decoration and music are the most suitable vocations for persons with intellectual disability to engage in,” he said.

“Based on the project evaluation findings, there is a large demand for vocational training for youths with intellectual disabilities. The government should give priority to this area,” he added.

Closing the session, the Director for Special Needs at the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Dr Magreth Matonya committed to work on the challenges addressed during the execution of the project.

However, she commended the MWAYODEO for implementing the project and surpassing the target.

In particular, she called on the Finnish government to continue supporting the government to ensure more youths with instinctual disability are reached.