CHALLENGES IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION POLICIES IN SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN THE SEKONDI/TAKORADI METROPOLIS IN GHANA

Educational institutions all over the world are duty bound to make their products useful to the society. This makes vocational and technical education (VOTEC) a major contributor in this process. The nature of VOTEC and its supposedly close links to the world of work makes it the system of education that gives its graduates the necessary skills to make them useful in their community. However, VOTEC is facing challenges to prepare students with the right skills to make them fit into the world of work
The study sought to find out the challenges in the implementation of vocational and technical education policies in senior secondary schools in the Sekondi/Takoradi metropolis. In collecting data for the study, the descriptive survey technique was used. Questionnaire formed the principal instrument for the collection of data. A sample size of 233 subjects made up of 200 students and 33 teachers from four Senior Secondary Schools were used for the study.
The study revealed inadequacy and non-availability of educational and human resources. These included teachers, funding, tools and equipment. It also revealed negative perception teachers and students in senior secondary schools had about VOTEC in Sekondi/Takoradi that made its implementation difficult.
Suggestions have been made towards the improvement in the implementation of VOTEC. These include training of more VOTEC teachers, providing additional funding and equipment to improve skill acquisition. It is expected that the government and other stakeholders would make sure that VOTEC serves its purpose of providing the manpower needs of the country.