Kofi Asare demand for Technical and Vocational Education and Training on the rise despite overcrowding

Executive Director of Africa Education Watch, Kofi Asare, has raised concerns over what he describes as the inadequate expansion of access to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Ghana, warning that the country’s growing interest in skills-based education is being undermined by insufficient infrastructure and limited enrollment capacity.

According to him, although more students are embracing technical and vocational education as a viable pathway to employment and entrepreneurship, the pace at which the government is expanding TVET institutions and facilities has failed to match the increasing demand.

Kofi Asare noted that the growing popularity of TVET reflects a positive shift in public perception of technical and vocational education.

The education policy advocate said overcrowding has become one of the most pressing challenges confronting TVET institutions across the country.

He also pointed to the alarming teacher-to-student ratios in some institutions, saying the situation is affecting effective teaching and learning.

“One of the key challenges in our TVET schools is overcrowding so when you hear that then you should know that there is demand. We have TVET schools where the teacher-to-student ratio is about one teacher is to 200 students.

“So the system must respond and expand access so that there will be commensurate supply. People are buying into the TVET agenda but we are not in the past and present, expanding the access opportunities fast enough to align with the growing demand for TVET.”