CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT IN VOCATIONAL AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION: ADOPTING BEST PRACTICES AND STANDARD PERFORMANCE

RELEVANCE OF TYPEWRITING AND SHORTHAND IN MODERN CURRICULUM

Abstract
Curriculum has been an important determinant of the extent of quality of education offered in an educational system. That is, the resultant output thereof in any educational system is a consequence of the curriculum developed for such a system. Owing to the above argument, the author believes in strong terms that most courses and curriculum in our institutions have by far been outdated. Therefore, we can no longer continue with such types of curriculum and courses. The author is of the view however, that such courses should be scrapped-off by curriculum experts and be made to be in line or be fine-tuned to current challenges in the workplace environment. If at all, it must be taught, it should be part of History of ICT Development in the Office Environment, just like the study of First generation of computers in Introduction to Computer, where students are not carrying ENIAC up and down. The continuous teaching of courses like typewriting and shorthand is an involuntary attempt on the part of educators to sabotage the future career progress of students. The truth remains that there are some courses that will not and will never put food on the table of our graduates and even if they do, it will cause hunger in the family. Such courses should not be tied or known with Vocational and Technology Education, a mother course whose main aim is to make learners useful. Currently, there are courses being offered in the university that neither have lucrative job prospects nor have business advantage. Take for instance, Geology. How can one open a business with knowledge in Geology? How can one get a well-paying job with typewriting? These are the considerations that has necessitated this work. In an era such as this, a material in this direction has become all important.

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Vocational Education: Pathway to National Integration and Economic Empowerment

Abstract
The conception of vocational education as being the panacea for economic development is an idea that has been undisputed over the years. Researches across boards, especially in the social and management sciences and education has revealed that the acquisition of relevant skills has been a source of sustenance at the individual level and is contributory to overall national economic progress. This qualitative study on vocational education: pathway to national integration and economic empowerment is aimed at determining how vocational education can create a pathway for economic development. The focus of this study therefore, will be on those specific areas, dimensions, parameters or channels through which vocational education can make such economic empowerment possible. Hence, the study focused on entrepreneurship and medium, small and medium scale businesses as channels through which vocational education contributes to economic empowerment. Method of data collection was through secondary sources. Data indicates that entrepreneurship activities contributes to economic empowerment through its innovative and intuitive creation of business opportunities the results in employment opportunities. It was also established that medium, small and medium scale enterprises are the bedrock of any nation and that without such bedrock, an economy can crumble. Consequently, based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that vocational business education must be redefined to suit current practices and occurrences in the nation. This is to ensure that the programme meet up with its planned objectives.

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DWINDLING ROLE OF PARENT-TEACHER ASSOCIATIONS IN NIGERIA: A CALL FOR HELP RE-ENGINEERING PARENTAL ROLE IN CONTEMPORARY SCHOOL SYSTEM

Abstract

In a typical school environment, there are numerous factors which influence the decisions of the school. These factors are often internal and external. The internal factors may include the activities of students and staff, managerial techniques, financial/revenue undulations, etc., while the external factors may be the government, community, civil organizations, NGOs, religion, parents, etc. However, this paper focuses on the parent as an external school influencer. Before now, parents visited schools to inquire of their children’s performances, to ascertain fees and levies, check on the general wellbeing of the school and to ensure that their children are highly disciplined in case they misbehaved. Unfortunately, the case is never the same again. Parents, both educated and uneducated have all fallen victims of busy schedules to the extent that they only get engaged in the home work of the child(ren). There is hardly any tangible communication between the parent and the teacher especially in the public schools domain. This long tenure or overstay of the discord in some homes have even led to total abandonment of the child’s academic activities – including home work. This is the effect of an unchecked bad attitude. Currently, there is need to re-engineer the role of parents in the school system because their lack of involvement has given the school the impetus to carry out their policies successfully without objection. The parents suffer in some of these policies especially in tuition fees hike.

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INTEGRATING VOCATIONAL BUSINESS SKILLS AND MARKETING TECHNIQUES THE PRIME OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP SUCCESS

Abstract

In vocational business education, one of our major theory/concern is that jobs are scarce or in some extreme conditions, non-existent. Therefore, a student must learn and understand the concept of doing responsible and successful business which will enable him to survive where job-seeking fails. This belief has necessitated the introduction of Entrepreneurial studies in Universities to be made a General course. This is to ensure that students understand and practice business after school where there is no viable job. Despite being taught entrepreneurship studies in the Universities, more and more graduates still do not like, engage or succeed in their various startup businesses. Even those who engaged in business could not succeed because of inadequate managerial and marketing techniques. This is because marketing is the livewire of a business. No matter how poorly skilled a manager is, when the marketers are good, business just goes on and on. However, because vocational business education students lack modern skills and practices in marketing, they were unable to thrive on the traditional marketing terrain. It is against this backdrop that the author decides to introduce modern and non-formal practices into vocational business education especially in area of entrepreneurial studies. This is to enable gradates succeed in their businesses.

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