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Vocational education refers to skill based programmed for
the acquisition of skill, while technical education provides general
technical knowledge. Technical and vocational education is usually merged
together in any school's program for skill acquisition. Vocational and
technical education is important for the development and growth of any
country's economy. Most employers are demanding for more skills from
applicants than they did in the past. It is an opportunity which is
meant for people to improve themselves in their general proficiency thereby
preparing for future occupation. Vocational and technical education involves
use of practicals to teach students skills they can make use of.
CHALLENGES
- In Nigeria, the issue of
technical and vocational education is taken for granted. The motivation
to acquire these skills is very low among our youths.
- The machines and tools needed
to train students to acquire these skills are lacking in Nigerian
Universities and other higher institutions.
- There is scarcity of
experienced and qualified teachers. Sometimes it can be as a result of
low remuneration or salary which serves as a discouragement to them.
Sometimes it can also be as a result of the qualified teachers moving
away to other countries in search of better higher paying jobs.
- In Nigeria there is an
inadequate funding for vocational and technical education which is
needed to build workshops,for acquiring of the Needed equipment as
well as maintenance of the workshops and equipments.
- The school's curriculum is
usually too theoretical in content with little or no provision made for
practicals.
- In Nigeria, most youths and
parents prefer the University degree to technical/ vocational
qualifications. There is little consideration for skills which should
also be acquired for future career.
- There is poor societal
attitude towards vocational and technical education which sometimes
affects the choice made by the students when asked to choose what to
study.
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 | Vocational in Action
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RECOMMENDATION
- Government should allocate
adequate resources to technical and vocational education.
- Highly skilled and proficient
teachers are needed in technical and vocational school. Teachers should
be properly trained and their skills upgraded from time to time even
while teaching in vocational or technical schools.
- Vocational and technical
school's curriculum should be reviewed to ensure that the students get
the required training they need to meet the demands of the labour
market.
- There should be public
campaign to Create awareness about the necessity and importance of
technical and vocational education in Nigeria.
- The salaries as well as other
benefits paid to technical and vocational teachers should be
reviewed by government or the school owners. So as to encourage these
teachers in their work.
- The machinery should be
provided as well as workshops for practical lessons so that the teachers
and instructors will have all the need to make learning very conducive,
easy and efficient.
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