A seminar was held on September 22 at the Moroni Women's Center to discuss the future of Comoros' vocational training program, "Msomo Na Hazi." The program, funded by the European Union, aims to provide young people who have dropped out of school or never attended school with vocational skills. The seminar brought together various stakeholders, including the Minister of National Education, the Governor of Ngazidja, and representatives from the private sector and civil society.
The "Msomo Na Hazi" program focuses on seven areas: carpentry, masonry, plumbing, automotive mechanics, marine mechanics, fish product processing, and agricultural product processing. The program's approach combines 80% practical training in workshops with 20% theoretical training in resource centers. Participants' progress is tracked through a learning logbook, and upon completion, they can obtain a Certificate of Professional Competence issued by the Ministry of National Education.
According to Nouroudine Abdallah, Director of "Msomo Na Hazi," the program's beneficiaries have acquired valuable skills that need to be recognized. He emphasized that the program helps to valorize these skills and enables young people to contribute to the country's development. The seminar discussions focused on four key areas: governance, training quality and certification, partnerships, and financing.
The seminar participants highlighted the need for clear responsibilities among stakeholders and continued support for master craftsmen. The issue of language was also raised, as training is provided in Shikomori, while many documents are written in French. A proposal was made to translate reference materials into Shikomori to facilitate their use by less-educated master craftsmen.
Since its launch, the program has engaged 75 structures and enabled the signing of 335 apprenticeship contracts. The program's financing amounts to 89,743,000 Comorian francs. Minister of National Education, Bacar Mvoulana, assured that measures will be taken to ensure the program's continuity. He presented the program as a second chance for young people who did not complete their education.
A beneficiary of the program shared his experience, stating that the training opened his eyes to new possibilities and provided him with an opportunity he never thought he would have. He encouraged out-of-school youth to acquire manual skills to support their families in the future. The program has provided young people with a chance to acquire valuable skills and contribute to the country's development.
The stakeholders' discussions and proposals aim to ensure the sustainability of the vocational training program. The program's impact on the lives of young people in Comoros and its potential for future growth will depend on the implementation of the measures discussed during the seminar. The program's success will be crucial in providing opportunities for young people and contributing to the country's economic development.
Key points
- The Comorian government has pledged to take measures to ensure the continuity of the vocational training program.
- The program has enabled 335 young people to sign apprenticeship contracts.
- The program's financing amounts to 89,743,000 Comorian francs.
