FACTORS AFFECTING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION POLICY IN PRIVATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN EDO STATE

Abstract

The government policy directive to secondary schools has been to diversify their programs to include vocational and technical education in the 6-3-3-4 system in order to make provision for students with varying aptitudes. This article explores the impact of this policy by examining some factors affecting the implementation of the policy in private secondary schools in Edo state. Subjects for the study were fifty (50) students, fifty (50) teachers and five (5) principals randomly drawn from five(5) private secondary schools in Edo State. The study utilized interviews, observations and a questionnaire to assess the implementation of government policy onvocational and technical education in private secondary schools in Edo State. The findings showed that there was a dearth of qualified teachers for vocational and technical subjects, poor infrastructure, lack of equipment, instructional materials and books. The schools were not adequately financed. It was observed that the federal government did not make adequate preparations before it issued directives for the take off of the programs in the schools. Recommendations were made for the federal government to sensitize the public on the importance of vocational and technical education, as it plays a vital and indispensable role in the economic and technological development of the country.