On the importance of vocational education

Sound education is the right of every human being.  Without education, ignorance reigns. The goal of education is not just to increase knowledge, but also to help people become useful members of society. However, the educational system in Nigeria seems to focus more attention on the need for students to acquire academic qualifications. Academic-based schooling […]

Sound education is the right of every human being.  Without education, ignorance reigns. The goal of education is not just to increase knowledge, but also to help people become useful members of society.

However, the educational system in Nigeria seems to focus more attention on the need for students to acquire academic qualifications. Academic-based schooling seems to be striving in most educational institutions. Necessary career skills that are required in the business world are rarely taught.

In addition, the rate of unemployment amongst the youth has increased dramatically in the last decade. And, according to a recent statement by the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige, this trend will continue, and even get worse in the coming years. Most young people from the university lack the needed skills and competence that would enable them function in today’s emerging society.

Vocational education needs to be integrated in the school curriculum as this will equip students with the practical skills needed to survive. Vocational training can also be taught to children from an early age. That way, they can imbibe and nurture the skills as they grow. Thus, early childhood institutions also should look into including vocational training in their curriculum.

When people hear “vocational education”, they assume that it is for those who cannot afford quality education. However, this is a wrong assumption; the truth is everyone needs to learn valuable hands-on skills. In the long run, these skills can help provide additional income.

Bridging the vocational skills gap remains a major challenge faced by many, especially young adults in Nigeria. Vocational education and training is designed to educate youths and adults with the right skills needed to survive in the ever changing labour market. The narrative of the basic academic education is gradually changing from basic paper credentials to skill-based qualification which can be applied practically in the workplace.

The state of vocational education in Nigeria calls for urgent attention. The Nigerian educational system requires urgent, innovative and practical reform to bring it in line with international best practices, and importantly, better equip young people of this country to handle the never-ending demands of the 21st century.

Vocational, entrepreneurship or skills acquisition programmes, as they are usually called, include acquiring skills in areas such as cooking and baking, photography, video editing, barbing, hair styling, painting, carpentry, among others.

For vocational education to make impact in Nigeria, teaching and learning must take place in an environment where all the necessary tools are available.

Vocational education is the engine for economic growth in the country. Nigerians should invest in skills training, as no nation can compete effectively in the emerging global marketplace with poorly educated and unskilled workers.

Government, educational administrators and other stakeholders should invest massively in integrated approaches to developing the educational system, as this will ultimately lead to building a better workforce and thus boost the development of the Nigerian economy.

Daniel Ighakpe wrote from FESTAC, Lagos and can be reached at:[email protected]