Govt urged to adopt Japanese entrepreneurship system in assisting people with disabilities

By Prosper Makene

Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA)

The government has been urged to implement the Japanese system on entrepreneurship in vocational training programme so as to assist children with special needs acquired education that can help them to improve their livelihood.

 

Speaking in an interview with The Guardian recently in Dar es Salaam, Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA)’s instructor for persons with special needs Kintu Kilanga who specializes in metal welding said that Japan has gone so far on assisting people with special need, therefore there is a need for Tanzanian to learn from them.

 

Kilanga also said that with the Japanese system, people with disabilities, especially mental impariment can learn how to operate different machines and secure jobs. 

 

“I have been in Japan and seen this system that helps person with disabilities not to be beggars, so I request the Tanzanian government to adopt the Japanese system for entrepreneurs with special needs because there is no one who wished God to make them what they are,” he said.

 

He added: “I also take this opportunity to urge parents and guardians to enroll their special needs children to Vocational Education and Training Authority instead of hiding them indoors where they remain dormant and dependant”.

 

He pointed out that persons with disabilities can learn and work like any other able bodied individual, therefore parents should have no worries, but instead bring them to vocational training centres for studies.

 

“Made to interact with others persons, people with disabilities can boost their social skills and be directly engaged in productivity, strengthen confidence and achieve the vital sense of entrepreneurship and belonging that everyone needs,” he explained.

 

Three young men with mental disabilities are among the numerous beneficiaries of this initiative, Lih Mtolela, Stepheno Dawa and Remtulllah Rahim, who are currently studying in various areas of metal products manufacturing chain.

 

VETA’s senior labour market analyst, Julius Mjelwa said the initiative was first incepted in 2012 in recognition of relevant practical education to people in with special needs.

 

“This programme is implemented in accordance with the 1994 Act, number one, which says VETA is supposed to serve people with special groups including those with mental disabilities,” he said.

 

However, he acknowledged that the Act has been presented for more than twenty years but VETA only started the programme two years because: “of unavoidable reasons … this is the first time we have had such a big number of students with mental disabilities.” 

 

The Vocational Educational and Training Authority (Veta) was established by an Act of Parliament No. 1 of 1994 and is charged with broad tasks of coordinating, regulating, financing, promoting and providing vocational education and training in Tanzania. 

 

The history of Veta dates back to the 1940s when the Apprenticeship Ordinance was enacted to guide training in the industry. The Vocational Training Act of 1974, which established the National Vocational Training Division, was replaced by the Vocational Educational and Training Act of 1994.

 

Veta’s mission is to ensure provision of quality VET that meets labour market needs.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN