In a bid to improve qualitative teaching and learning of Trade Subjects across secondary schools in the State and to further empower students with the relevant skills needed to be self- sustainable and creators of job, the Ogun State Government, through the office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Technical and Vocational Education has inducted 22 Trade Subject Delivery Officers (TSDOs), with a charge on them to ensure effective coordination.

Speaking during the induction at the Conference Room of the State’s Technical and Vocational Education Board, Special Adviser to the governor on TVET, Prof. Joseph Odemuyiwa said the move was to guarantee the smooth implementation of the position of the National Policy on Education, which stipulates among other things that, every secondary school student must offer at least, one trade subject, calling on the inductees to complement government’s drive by ensuring seamless implementation.

“This is a responsibility that will boost your curriculum, project your area of specialization, give you the opportunity of contributing to the provision of employment through technical and vocational education in Ogun State, which is the focus of this administration. Whatever teaching and learning one is going through that is not guaranteeing economic viability is not education. I want to charge those of you appointed by the state government to handle the delivery of qualitative technical and vocational education as pioneers in this area to put in your best.

“There is another policy on education known as the national policy on science and technology education, within which you will operate to ensure that TVET in Ogun State is delivered the way it should. Let me also add that the purpose for this move is to bring you in as experts in our various secondary schools so that we will be able to focus on qualitative delivery of trade subjects as a way of catching them young for technical and engineering discipline”, he said.

While attributing the challenge of insecurity and hooliganism to deviation from the TVET, the renowned educationist asked them not to relent in developing themselves in the areas of their expertise, monitor, co-ordinate and come up with periodic report across the 22 Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) zones across the state, adding that, they should work in partnership with their Zonal Education Officers and see themselves as the eyes of TVET in their various locations.

He said any education that does not incorporate TVET is an incomplete education, advising the students to avail themselves of the opportunity the government is putting in place to be skilled, avoid being idle, pointing out that, the initiative would further help to curb societal menace. He urged the inductees to be proud of their trade and vocation, as there was the need to return to the basics.

Speaking on behalf of the inductees, Mr. Sunday Abiodun from United High School, Ikenne and Mrs. Adeboye Omolara from Saint John’s Anglican Secondary School, Abeokuta, said they were very impressed with the initiative, assuring that it would further help in enhancing the teaching and learning of TVET across schools as the teachers being selected are specialized teachers in the field who would give their best.