Parents’ And Students’ Perceptions About Technical and Vocational Education and Training in Ghana

Mabel Baffour Gyau; Mavis Osei; Naomi Baffour Gyau

doi:10.4314/just.v42i2.1448

Ms. Mabel Baffour Gyau Kumasi Technical Institute
Prof. Dr. (Mrs.). Mavis Osei Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7660-8934
Ms. Naomi Baffour Gyau Department of Planning, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4314/just.v42i2.1448

Keywords: Technical and Vocational Education and Training, Perception, Parents, students, Ghana

Abstract

Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is an effective tool for industrialisation. However, literature exposes several setbacks in TVET; mainly an unfavourable reputation and inadequate financial support. With a sample size of 383 (parents and student), this survey was conducted to investigate parents’ and students’ perceptions of TVET in the Kumasi Metropolis in Ghana. The study revealed that parents perceive TVET to be for "weak" students. The students on the other hand believe that TVET will limit their academic achievements. The source of these perceptions were known to be parents, teachers, and graduates from TVET institutions. The effect of the perception of TVET is a vicious cycle of poor TVET perception which will continue to hinder the development of TVET. Retooling of the Ghanaian TVET sector is thus suggested with specific emphasis on reorientation leading to positive attitudinal change to do away with the negative tag about TVET in Ghana.

Author Biographies

Ms. Mabel Baffour Gyau, Kumasi Technical Institute

Mabel Baffour Gyau is currently a tutor at the Kumasi Girls Senior High School. She holds a BEd in Agriculture and a Master of Education from the University of Education Winneba and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology respectively. With over a decade experience as a tutor at the Kumasi Technical Institute - one of the biggest TVET institutions in Ghana, Mabel has dedicated her career to training students to develop a lifelong love for learning TVET.

Prof. Dr. (Mrs.). Mavis Osei, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

Mavis is an artist, art educator, art therapist, a Fulbright alumna. She is an Associate Professor with over fifteen years’ experience lecturing in the Department of Educational Innovations, KNUST and tailoring lessons to suit different learners in Educational Psychology, Fashion Illustration and Art Therapy. She is the author of West Africa’s first Art therapy Master’s Programme which started in September 2019 in KNUST. Her research interest covers art and vocational education, emotional intelligence, art’s role in enhancing teaching and learning, and emotional and mental health. She loves to mentor both the young and old.

Ms. Naomi Baffour Gyau, Department of Planning, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana

Naomi Baffour Gyau holds a Bachelor's degree in Development Planning from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. She is a researcher with interest in urban planning, education, development finance and transport safety and sustainability.