An assessment of the usage of direct cutting for garment construction by trainees in the formal and informal institutions in Ghana. A case of Wa municipality in the upper west region

Abstract

Most of the fashion design students after completing their programme in their schools are found in the informal sector for practical orientation in the Wa Municipality. It is observed that the trainees in the informal sector are conversant with direct cutting method and seems to be practically inclined than those in the formal training sector in the Municipality. The study therefore assesses the usage of direct cutting for garment construction by trainees in the formal and informal institutions in the Wa Municipality. The study used data collected from the trainees and trainers in the formal and informal institutions in the Wa Municipality. Two hundred and forty (240) students from the formal institutions, 120 trainees from the informal institutions, 18 formal trainers (teachers) and 60 informal trainers were sampled for the study. The results of the study show that the teachers and students in the formal institutions are not conversant with the direct cutting method. The trainers and trainees in the informal institutions are conversant with both direct and pattern drafting. The trainees in the formal institutions are faced with inadequate practice periods, teacher reluctance to teach them direct cutting, and lack of textbooks. The general perception among the trainees in the formal institutions is that direct cutting is a ‘roadside’ method, and also waste fabric and time. The study recommends that, the Ghana Education Service, and the Ministry of Education should review the TVET curriculum. More periods should be allocated for practical subjects to enable trainees improve their practical knowledge and skills.