Imo State House of Assembly has passed a bill to make skill acquisition and craftsmanship mandatory in primary/secondary schools and also to make the establishment of same in tertiary institutions in the state mandatory.
The bill, sponsored by the member representing the Oguta state constituency, Mr Gilbert Nwosu, was passed during the plenary session on Tuesday.
The second reading of the bill was presented at the hallow chambers on Thursday, 31 January 2024, as it was confirmed by the standing House Committee on Education.
Speaking shortly after the passage of the bill, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Chike Olemgbe commended Nwosu for participating actively throughout the consideration of the bill.
Olemgbe, who also represents the Ihitte-Uboma state constituency, stated that the state legislature under his watch would continue to give needed attention to bills and motions that impact the citizens and also further advance the development of the state.
The legislator, who threw light on the bill while addressing House of Assembly correspondents in his office, said that the bill would reduce over-dependence on white-collar jobs by school leavers.
Olemgbe said, “The unemployment rate in the country is as a result of much reliance on the government to provide jobs for school leavers when there is no job out there.
“Graduates suffer due to lack of skill and that’s why you see youths roaming about the street. However, with this bill at work, the narratives would be changed”.
After the passage, Olemgbe directed the clerk to transmit the passed bill to the state governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma for his assent.
