Project
From student to mentor: The story of Abaasa Innocent Stephen in Uganda
From student to mentor, his story highlights the transformative power of UNESCO’s Better Education for Africa’s Rise (BEAR II) project on technical and vocational education and training. Here is what he shared with us…
“The BEAR II project has had a profound impact on our rural institute. I am especially proud of the project’s role in boosting female students’ engagement with agro-processing; despite conflicting societal pressures, many of these students have completed their training and secured employment.
As an educator, I have encouraged more girls to enter technical fields, stressing the importance of education as the foundation for entrepreneurship. Their success and discipline are a source of inspiration.
The BEAR II project has shaped my own teaching methods, especially in two important respects.
Firstly, I faced the challenge of introducing a new curriculum on post-harvest management and value-addition. The project provided specialized machinery and equipment, making the task of teaching these concepts more manageable, and the learning experience more hands-on for students.
Secondly, BEAR II has helped to simplify our approach to modular training assessment, making it easier to evaluate students’ progress and provide targeted feedback. By applying the project’s assessment guidelines, we streamlined our evaluation process and ensured consistency. Through modular training, we have been able to create a flexible learning environment for our students – one that accommodates and supports diverse learning styles.
A profound sense of accomplishment
During my tenure with the BEAR II project, several moments have filled me with a profound sense of accomplishment.
In 2020, the Institute hosted principals from several primary schools, showcasing modern agro-processing techniques. The principals’ enthusiasm served as a reminder of the immense potential to inspire students and parents about technical education.
Two years later, head teachers from mainland schools visited to learn more about our programmes, reflecting growing recognition of our institute's contributions to technical education.
Similarly, a delegation from the Ministry of Education and Sports visited the Institute in 2019. Several ministry officials have entrusted the education of their children to our rural institute, attesting to our reputation and programme quality.
These achievements reflect the impact of BEAR II and reinforce my own commitment to advancing skills development in our community.
The most significant outcome from the BEAR II project has been its enhancement of value-addition training and supply of ICT equipment. This technology has improved research and resource sharing, boosting the quality of our programmes as well as our visibility nationwide. As a result, the project has attracted more students to technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in Uganda.
Looking ahead
My goal is to expand technical education and promote agricultural development in our community. I intend to introduce diploma certificates to elevate our institute and broaden opportunities for students, as well as establish a 4-acre farm to demonstrate the benefits of modern agronomy and boost regional productivity. A new platform will be established to showcase student products and support the local economy, and an innovative programme will support youth in gaining hands-on farming skills.”
The Better Education for Africa’s Rise (BEAR) project is a flagship project dedicated to technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in Africa. UNESCO has been implementing this project in the continent since 2011, with financial support from the Government of the Republic of Korea.
