More than 1,500 candidates have participated in the entrance examination for admission into technical colleges across Delta State, signalling growing interest among parents and students in technical and vocational education.
The examination was conducted across the state, with more than 500 candidates sitting for the test at the Model Technical College, Asaba.
The exercise formed part of the admission process for prospective students seeking to commence technical education and acquire practical skills alongside conventional academic training.
Speaking during the examination, the Permanent Secretary, Delta State Ministry of Technical Education, Dr Anthony Okwunze, said the impressive turnout indicated that parents were increasingly recognising the importance of technical and vocational education.
Okwunze explained that the entrance examination was designed to identify candidates with the aptitude and interest required to thrive in technical education.
He said the objective was to ensure that students graduating from the technical colleges would possess practical skills capable of making them productive and self-reliant.
“When these children complete their education up to Senior Secondary School Three, they should leave with a particular skill that they can use to become productive,” he said.
According to him, such skills would enable the students to support themselves and their families while awaiting admission into higher institutions.
The Permanent Secretary commended the state government for its commitment to strengthening technical education and skills acquisition, noting that investment in the sector was critical to preparing young people for the changing demands of the economy.
Some parents who spoke during the examination also expressed satisfaction with the growing emphasis on technical education.
One of them, Tony Okwechime, said he brought his son to the Model Technical College because of the boy’s strong interest in technical activities and his desire for him to acquire practical skills that would be useful in the future.
Okwechime said his confidence in the institution increased after he visited the school to obtain the examination form and observed the level of discipline among the students.
He particularly commended the school’s approach to enforcing punctuality, noting that students who arrived late were reportedly assigned tasks such as cleaning parts of the school environment before returning to their classes.
He said such measures could help inculcate discipline, responsibility and good character in students.
Okwechime also praised the security arrangements at the school, saying the controlled movement of people within the premises gave parents greater confidence in the safety of their children.
He urged the state government to establish more institutions where academic education could be combined with technical and vocational training.
Another parent, Mrs Collins Recheal, said she was satisfied with the conduct of the examination and expressed optimism that the process would enable the school to select students with the academic ability and interest required for technical education.
She encouraged more parents to consider technical education for their children, describing it as an important pathway to preparing young people for the future.
Recheal, however, appealed to the government to improve some facilities at the school, particularly electricity and other basic infrastructure.
She said the absence of electricity during her visit was a concern and urged the authorities to pay greater attention to the provision and maintenance of essential facilities.
A teacher at the Model Technical College, Asaba, James Mele, described the examination as successful, saying it was conducted in a calm and orderly atmosphere.
Mele said the screening was important because the institution needed to identify students with the appropriate aptitude and interest in technical education.
One of the candidates, Bright Chukwuka, said the examination was not difficult and expressed confidence that he performed well.
He also described the examination environment as comfortable.
Okwunze disclosed that the ministry could organise a supplementary examination for prospective students who were unable to participate in the exercise, depending on the number of interested applicants.
The large turnout has further highlighted the growing acceptance of technical and vocational education in Delta State, as parents increasingly seek educational opportunities that will equip their children with practical skills, discipline and the capacity for self-reliance.