As South Sudan continues to navigate towards stability and development, investing in Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) emerges as a critical strategy for enhancing human capital.
By learning from successes like the Finnish education system, South Sudan can tailor its approach to meet the unique needs of its population and economy.
This article explores the rationale for investing in TVET and highlights key lessons from Finland.
The importance of investing in TVET
The over 70% youthful population presents South Sudan’s greatest challenge and a promising asset. Both the challenges and the promise could be addressed through TVET.
1. Addressing skills gaps
South Sudan faces significant skills gaps in various sectors, including agriculture, construction, and technology. TVET can provide practical, hands-on training that aligns with the needs of the job market. By equipping individuals with skills, South Sudan can boost productivity and support economic growth.
2. Promoting employment and entrepreneurship
Investing in TVET creates employment for young people and encourages entrepreneurship. With the right skills, graduates can either join the workforce or start their own businesses, contributing to job creation and economic diversification. This is particularly crucial in a country where unemployment rates are high.
3. Enhancing social equity
TVET can promote social equity by providing marginalized groups—such as women, rural youth, and those from disadvantaged backgrounds—with access to skills training. Ensuring that all segments of the population can participate in economic activities fosters inclusive growth and social cohesion.
4. Supporting national development goals
A skilled workforce is essential for achieving national development goals, including poverty reduction and sustainable development. By prioritizing TVET, South Sudan can align its educational policies with broader economic and social objectives.
Lessons from the Finnish Education System
Finland is renowned for its innovative and effective education system, particularly in vocational training. Here are some key lessons South Sudan can draw from Finland’s experience:
1. Integrating TVET with general education
In Finland, vocational education is integrated with general education, allowing students to receive a well-rounded education while pursuing vocational training. This integration helps students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which are essential in today’s job market. South Sudan could adopt a similar approach, ensuring that TVET students also gain foundational knowledge in subjects like mathematics and science.
2. Emphasizing Quality and Relevance
Finnish vocational programs focus on quality and relevance to the labour market. Programs are developed in collaboration with industries to ensure they meet current job demands.
South Sudan should engage with local businesses and industries to create curricula that reflect the skills needed in the economy, fostering a strong connection between education and employment.
3. Investing in teacher training
Finland places a strong emphasis on teacher training and professional development.
Educators in vocational programs receive specialized training to ensure they can effectively teach and mentor students. South Sudan must invest in the professional development of TVET instructors, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to deliver high-quality training.
4. Encouraging lifelong learning
The Finnish education system promotes lifelong learning, encouraging individuals to continue developing their skills throughout their careers. South Sudan can adopt policies that support continuous education and training for workers, allowing them to adapt to changing job markets and technological advancements.
5. Fostering collaboration between stakeholders
Collaboration among government, educational institutions, and the private sector is a cornerstone of the Finnish model. This partnership ensures that training programs are relevant and that graduates are prepared for employment. South Sudan should create platforms for dialogue among these stakeholders to enhance the effectiveness of TVET programs.
Conclusion
Investing in TVET is essential for South Sudan to enhance human capital development. By drawing lessons from the Finnish education system, South Sudan can create a robust TVET framework that addresses its unique challenges and opportunities.
Focusing on quality, relevance, integration with general education, and collaboration among stakeholders will empower the youth and promote economic growth. As South Sudan continues to rebuild and redefine its future, a commitment to TVET will be a crucial step toward achieving a prosperous and equitable society. It is, therefore, important that the government keeps its commitment of having made 2024 a year of TVET in March, as noted during the TVET annual review meeting where General Education and Instruction Minister Awut Deng Acuil declared 2024 as a year of TVET and applauded all the partners for supporting skills development. She stressed the importance the government attaches to TVET and called for adequate domestic resources to be allocated to all line ministries working on TVET.
On the other hand, Hussen Abdelbagi Akol, the Vice-President and Chairperson of the Service Cluster in the Revitalized Government of National Unity, said, “while we are emphasizing reforms in the TVET sub-sector today, we should not forget the situation of teachers.
We are still far from having the quality of teachers in sufficient quantity that this country needs to provide equitable and quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all”. By investing in the skills and potential of its people, South Sudan can pave the way for a brighter future—one where every citizen could contribute to the nation’s development.
The author, Ador Riak Nyiel, a Professor of Education, Faculty of Education at the Upper Nile University, is the National Coordinator at the National Education Coalition (NEC), a network of over 180 CSOs. (adorr86@gmail.com)
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