"Challenges in implenting of vocational education programs in a secondary school of addu city" / Azmath Latheef

Abstract

Similar to many other countries, in Maldives Vocational Education Programs were introduced in Secondary schools aiming to provide skilled based education. However, it seems that schools face a lot of challenges in the implementation process. The aim of this study was to identify the challenges that the teachers and students face and also to determine the extent to which these challenges affect the implementation process. A mixed research design was used where a survey questionnaire and interviews were conducted in a Secondary School of Addu City. A sample size of 50 was used for the survey and three participants were used for collecting information through interview. The analysis of the data collected from the survey was done by using SPSS software and interviews were transcribed, coded and theme were generated. The findings of data analysis show that the major challenges that the teachers and students face include, the negative attitude towards the Vocational Education Programs, lack of resources, untrained teachers and the low capability of students enrolled in the programs. The results also show that due to these challenges students cannot perform well from these programs and hence teachers and students become demotivated to perform. The participants of the study proposed some suggestions like providing necessary materials, conducting training programs and giving the opportunity for students in choosing the subjects or program before the enrollment.


Keywords: Challenges, Vocational Education Programs