Welcome to the Technical Department! This department can be described as going from inconspicuous to prominent during its recent history. From 4 students in 2006, to an average of 60 students presently enrolled, the department has had a meteoric rise. Technical Drawing now stands out as a very popular choice for an optional subject.
With the decision to eliminate woodwork as a subject in 2007, Technical Drawing has remained the flagship subject for the department. This prompted the move to introduce the subject in the ‘A’ Level, which is run by the following individuals:
1. Mr. AKOL Nicky holds a B. Voc. Tech Education from Kyambogo University. He served as Head of Department (HOD) for five years before handing over the position to Mr Adebo Gasper.
2. Mr. ADEBO Gasper holds a Bachelor‘s Degree in Tech. Education and a Dip. Education Technology from Kyambogo University. Mr. ADEBO Gasper is a great teacher who has contributed much to the performance of the department in the recent past. Currently, he is the Head of Department.
A Popular Optional Subject
Gone are the days when Technical Drawing (Form 3 and Form 4) had only a handful of students. The enrolment numbers have grown from 4 students in 2005, to as many as 90 students in 2010, a record high for the department.
These members are usually checked by a screening exercise carried out by the department in an attempt to ensure good performance, which is beneficial for both the student and the department.
The popularity of the subject can be attributed to a number of factors. Though not empirically verified, the trend is largely attributed to more enlightenment among the students about the subject’s relevance to their everyday life and future career. This was not the case previously.
Teacher-student relationships have also greatly improved. Technical Drawing teachers were once considered old fogies on their way to retirement, but not anymore. With fresh teachers from the University, equipped with fresh teaching and interpersonal skills, Technical Drawing now seems a much more enticing subject to the students.
Definitely, our impressive records over the years have attracted growing interest from students in the younger classes.
Performance
Performance in the department has greatly improved, from the predominant F9 grades in 2006, to distinctions and ‘C’ grades dominating today’s performance. Technical Drawing is now on the rise.
A brief performance table may help to give a picture of the department’s performance:
| D1 | D2 | C3 | C4 | C5 | C6 | P7 | P8 | F9 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 01 | 02 | 04 | 04 | 10 | 16 | 18 | 09 | 04 |
| 2017 | |||||||||
| 2016 | |||||||||
| 2015 | |||||||||
| 2014 | |||||||||
| 2013 | 00 | 00 | 01 | 05 | 07 | 10 | 11 | 01 | 01 |
| 2012 | 04 | 05 | 10 | 07 | 19 | 12 | 06 | 00 | 00 |
| 2011 | 00 | 03 | 03 | 10 | 08 | 03 | 00 | 01 | 01 |
| 2010 | 00 | 03 | 07 | 04 | 09 | 04 | 04 | 00 | 00 |
| 2009 | 00 | 00 | 01 | 05 | 01 | 01 | 01 | 04 | 00 |
| 2008 | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 | 02 | 03 | 10 | 03 | 00 |
| 2007 | 01 | 00 | 00 | 01 | 02 | 08 | 03 | 03 | 03 |
| 2006 | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 | 02 | 03 | 01 | 02 | 02 |
| 2005 | 00 | 00 | 02 | 03 | 01 | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 |
Challenges
It’s inevitable for every institution to have its challenges. The Technical Department in Teso College Aloet has its own. Today’s challenges include the following:
Reference material – We need technical books, especially in the face of growing enrolment in the department. The departmental budget includes an allocation for books, but it’s not enough with respect to the student population.
Facilities – Drawing boards and T-squares are inadequate. These are purchased annually, but still on a very low budget. There are currently 40 boards for the use of 90 S.4 students, 80 S.3 students, 6 S.6 students and an anticipated 20 S.5 students. The student numbers simply dwarf the facilities needed.
The Drawing Room – The department has a departmental room and an office/store, but recent developments have seen the donation of more desks to the school. The Administration has preferred to use the Technical Room as a storage area for the extra desks, so there is presently no permanent drawing room.
Future Plans – The department’s future prospects are bright. Our current goal, which was almost achieved last year, is to see to it that no student receives an F9 grade in Technical Drawing in the UCE and to make this the norm. Being an achievable goal, it should materialize in the upcoming set of results.
