education 5 October 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Rethinking BTVET: Towards Technical Education, Training, and Apprenticeship (TETA)
The current Business, Technical, and Vocational Education and Training (BTVET) system in Uganda is critiqued for its misleading 'B' (Business) and redundant 'V' (Vocational). The author proposes a rebranding to Technical Education, Training, and Apprenticeship (TETA) to better reflect the practical nature of the courses and integrate a structured apprenticeship component. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/oped/commentary/btvet-let-s-delete-b-and-v-and-add-a--5621114
Uganda’s current approach to skills development, particularly through the Business, Technical, Vocational Education and Training (BTVET) system, is facing significant criticism. The author argues that the inclusion of ‘Business’ in the acronym is misleading, as the curriculum primarily focuses on technical skills rather than business management. This ‘B’ was added during a period emphasizing self-employment and job creation, a trend that has arguably had limited success and left the nation more vulnerable.
The practical implication of this ‘B’ is also problematic. For instance, a Primary Seven leaver undertaking a short welding course and entering self-employment could pose a risk to users and perpetuate mediocrity. Furthermore, the ‘V’ for Vocational is deemed redundant. The term ‘vocation’ is often misunderstood, incorrectly associated with mere skills or trades. True vocation implies a calling, a purpose that extends beyond basic survival or material gain.
To rectify these shortcomings, the proposal is to rename the system to Technical Education, Training, and Apprenticeship (TETA). This shift would more accurately represent the hands-on nature of the courses offered. A crucial element of TETA would be a structured apprenticeship program, where training institutions partner with private sector companies to provide students with practical, supervised workplace experience. Currently, students often struggle to find meaningful attachments, relying on basic introduction letters.
Implementing TETA would necessitate the establishment of a national skilling fund, potentially modeled after Kenya’s National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) Fund. This fund, financed by mandatory employer contributions, would support manpower skilling across all domains and levels. Such an investment is vital for Uganda’s national interest, fostering competitiveness against imported goods and promoting higher standards of craftsmanship through structured apprenticeships and guilds.