‘THE SCHOLARSHIPS HAVE NOT ONLY HELPED STUDENTS BUT ALSO INCREASED THE PARTICIPATION OF GIRLS IN OUR PROGRAM!’

Kalule David has been a lecturer in Electrical Installations at the Nile Vocational Institute (NVI) in Njeru, Uganda, for about 30 years. Throughout these years, he has witnessed many changes and developments, including the collaboration with Gered Gereedschap. A good reason to ask him a few questions.

You have been a lecturer at NVI for 30 years now. How have you experienced the changes within vocational training during this period?

‘Good afternoon. It is a pleasure to be here and share my experiences. My time as a lecturer at NVI has been incredibly valuable. Thanks to the support of Gered Gereedschap, we have been able to make significant improvements in our vocational training. They have supported us on three major fronts: providing tools and machines, capacity building for teachers like myself, and sponsoring students with scholarships. In terms of capacity building, they have helped us through teacher training, resulting in a significant improvement in the quality of our training programs.’

Can you provide a concrete example of the training you have received?

‘Certainly. We have received training in both the theoretical and practical aspects of teaching. In addition, there has been a strong emphasis on integrating ICT skills into our education. This support has enabled us to make our lessons significantly more effective.’

How is the availability of practical tools for students?

‘In the past, essential tools such as drills, multimeters, and insulation resistance testers were missing, which are crucial for teaching electrical installations. Thanks to Gered Gereedschap, we now have access to these tools, allowing students to learn practically and acquire essential skills that are crucial for their future careers.’

How has the sponsorship of students changed access to the training?

‘Through the sponsorship, eighteen students in the electrical installation program have received scholarships. Many of these students come from disadvantaged families and struggled to afford school fees. The scholarships have also contributed to increased participation of girls in this program. Currently, we have eight girls in the class, compared to earlier when there were only one or two.’

What does this support mean for both yourself and the institute?

‘The support from Gered Gereedschap has been crucial for our institute in executing our mission to provide vocational education to the youth of our country. The scholarships, capacity building for teachers, and the provision of tools have improved the quality of our vocational training and enabled us to effectively implement the new curricula.’