Lands minister Judith Nabakooba emphasized the need for schools to incorporate practical learning methods to equip students with skills for job creation and addressing unemployment issues. She made this statement during an event held on October 14, organized by St. Theresa Kisubi Girls’ Primary School in Wakiso District, which featured the launch of a music album, an exhibition, and a fundraiser for a new dormitory.
The event was centered around the theme “St Theresa Skilling Talents Beyond Super Excellence.” Nabakooba praised the school for adopting the new curriculum that emphasizes vocational skills training for children.
Nabakooba highlighted the diverse activities undertaken by St. Theresa students, such as cake making, arts and crafts, producing sponges, door mats, brooms, and juice. She emphasized that the growth of the economy is not solely dependent on white-collar jobs but also on vital hard skills, including farming, industry, and home-based crafts.
The minister also underscored the importance of the President’s message regarding youth skill development to create more job opportunities. She noted that the Government has established 21 zonal skilling hubs nationwide, offering training in areas like tailoring, bakery, hairdressing, welding, and bricklaying for young people.
Nabakooba encouraged teachers and parents to participate in government initiatives such as the Parish Development Model, which aims to involve communities and households in productive activities at the local level.
She also commended the Catholic Church for their responsible land management practices, which have allowed projects benefiting the community to flourish. The minister acknowledged that St. Theresa is situated in a community with technical schools, a university, hospitals, and more, attributing their existence to the prudent use of land by the Church.
In her closing remarks, Sr. Mary Josephine Namubiru, the school’s head teacher, expressed the urgent need to decongest their current dormitories due to the growing number of students. She requested additional support to complete a dormitory project estimated to cost over sh4 billion. Namubiru also mentioned the school’s skilling program, which engages students in productive activities during weekends and evenings, helping them utilize their free time to reduce idleness.
