CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

This chapter presents background of the study, statement of the problem, objectives of the study and research questions. Further still, assumptions and limitations of the study, theoretical framework, conceptual framework and the operational definition of terms have also been covered.

Whereas secondary education was once viewed as academic preparation for entrance in to higher education, over the years greater attention has been given to the relevance of what is taught at the secondary School level to preparing graduates for the world of work. This in so doing meets the needs of not only those who go into higher education but also those likely to get paid or self employment immediately after completing secondary school. It is where the relevance of vocationalisation comes in. Vocationalising education provides more training opportunities for the increasing number of students completing school with a view to preparing them for self- employment through the promotion of the requisite practical skills, knowledge and attitudes.

Vocationalised Secondary education is here understood as being a curriculum which remains overwhelming “general” or academic in nature, but which also includes vocational or practical subjects as a minor portion of the timetable during the Secondary School course. The greater that portion becomes, the more training and vocational education (TVE) is required in terms of time and objectivity for purposes of employment preparation.

A “diversified” curriculum structure can be seen as a means to greater equality of opportunity because it would purportedly cater to a wider range of talents and prepare for a wide range of future activity than to purely academic curriculum. This view has historically been part of the rationale for comprehensive secondary schools in many countries. There is the international influence of the US high schools Model. Some African countries have historically been influenced by North American or by Soviet models of comprehensive secondary school. Vocationalisation of Secondary Education Revisited (Maclean and Wilson, 1999).

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