Parents in Delta State are increasingly turning to technical education for their children, as more than 1,500 students sat for entrance examinations into the state’s technical colleges.
The examination was held on Saturday across the state, with more than 500 candidates writing the test at the Model Technical College, Asaba, alone.
The exercise was part of the admission process for students seeking to begin their technical education in the state.
Some parents who spoke during the examination said they were attracted to technical education because of its emphasis on practical skills, discipline and preparation for self-reliance.
One of the parents, Tony Okwechime, said he brought his son to the school because the boy was technically inclined and he wanted him to acquire skills that could become useful in the future.
Okwechime said his interest in the Model Technical College, Asaba, increased after he visited the institution to obtain the examination form and observed how teachers handled students.
He said the discipline imposed on students who arrived late convinced him that the school had a structured system.
According to him, some latecomers were made to clean parts of the school environment before returning to their classrooms.
He said such measures would help children develop discipline and become responsible members of society.
Okwechime also commended the security arrangements at the school, saying the controlled movement of people within the premises gave parents confidence in the safety of their children.
He urged the state government to establish more schools where academic education could be combined with technical skills and discipline.
Another parent, Mrs Collins Recheal, expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the examination.
Recheal said she brought her son because of his interest in the school, adding that she believed the entrance examination would help the institution select students capable of performing well academically.
She encouraged other parents to consider technical education for their children, describing it as an avenue for preparing them for the future.
She, however, appealed to the government to improve facilities at the school, particularly electricity and other basic infrastructure.
She said she noticed the absence of electricity during her visit and called for more attention to the maintenance and provision of facilities.
The Permanent Secretary, Delta State Ministry of Technical Education, Dr Anthony Okwunze, said the large turnout showed that parents were beginning to appreciate the importance of technical and vocational education.
Okwunze said more than 1,500 students participated in the entrance examination across the state, with over 500 candidates writing at the Asaba centre.
He said the examination was necessary to identify students with the required aptitude and interest in technical education.
According to him, the students were expected to acquire practical skills before completing their secondary education, enabling them to become productive and self-reliant.
“When these children complete their education up to Senior Secondary School Three, they should leave with a particular skill that they can use to become productive,” he said.
Okwunze added that the skills could enable the students to support themselves and their families while waiting for admission into higher institutions.
He commended the Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, for supporting technical education and skills acquisition in the state.
The Permanent Secretary said the government’s investment in technical education would help prepare young people for the demands of a changing world.
A teacher at the Model Technical College, Asaba, James Mele, described the examination as successful, saying it was conducted in a calm and organised environment.
Mele said the screening was important because the school needed to identify students with the right aptitude for technical education.
One of the candidates, Bright Chukwuka, said the examination was not difficult and expressed confidence that he performed well.
He also described the examination environment as comfortable.
Okwunze said the ministry might conduct a supplementary examination for prospective students who were unable to participate in Friday’s exercise, depending on the number of interested applicants.
The large turnout is an indication of growing interest in technical education in Delta State, as parents seek ways to equip their children with practical skills alongside conventional academic education.
