Students’ perception and attitude towards technical and vocational education and training in the Western North Region

Abstract

This study sought to investigate students' perception and attitudes towards Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in the Western North Region. Specifically, the research was to ascertain students‟ view about Technical and Vocational Education, students‟ attitude and perception towards TVET‟s enrolment and to identify guidance and counselling support that might be implemented in selected technical and vocational schools throughout the Western North. An explanatory sequential mixed method design was used. The primary tools used to collect the necessary data were questionnaire and interview. Questionnaire was employed on quantitative phase while interview was employed to collect qualitative data to supplement the quantitative phase. Stratified sampling technique was employed to select 320 respondents for the quantitative phase whereas twelve students were purposively selected for the qualitative phase. The results indicated that about 80% of students have negative attitude towards TVET while about 85% also have negative perception toward TVET. The results also indicated that the academic background of the students, economic background of students‟ parents, the motivation of getting self-employed or other job from TVET training, the cost involve in TVET education as compared to general education and the labour market indications and demands of skills determine students‟ participation in TVET education. Finally, the results show that self-directed learning and coaching are the two main guidance and counselling technique that are mostly employed to assist Students in TVET education. It is recommended that TVET education in Ghana should focus on practical aspect rather than abstract in order to assist students in the acquisition of employable skills that are needed in the job market field.