MEASURES FOR INCREASING PRACTICAL SKILLS ACQUISITION IN PRIVATE TECHNICAL COLLEGES: A CASE STUDY OF FOLK TECHNICAL COLLEGE, IKWO, EBONYI STATE

This study was designed to ascertain the measures to increase technical college students' acquisition of practical skills in private technical colleges using Folk Technical College, Ikwo as a case study. The instrument used for data collection was 42 items questionnaire. The respondents were 61 final year students and 30 technical teachers. Three research questions guided the study. The study revealed that adequate libraries, hostels and staff quarters should be provided. The respondents also agreed that field trips and visitation to industries should be carried out to enable them grasp practical skills more competently. Other factors accepted by respondents that would ensure practical skills acquisition among others include strict observation of workshop safety rules, encouraging students to undertake practical assignments by themselves, giving students enough time to carry out their assignments and teaching practical skills through demonstration method by teachers. The study among others recommended that highly qualified teachers should be employed to effectively teach the students in the Technical colleges.