Vocationalization of secondary education in Ghana

31513 VOCATIONALIZATION OF SECONDARY EDUCATION IN GHANA A CASE STUDY Albert K. Akyeampong 16. September 2002 Prepared for Regional Vocational Skills Development Review Human Development Africa Region World Bank  Contents Page List of Tables......................................................................................i List of Figures ................................................................................... .i List of Appendices .............................................................................. .i Acronyms ........................................................................................ .i Acknowledgement ...............................................................................iii Executive Summary .............................................................................iv Introduction .................................................................................... 1 The Broad Purpose of Vocationalisation .................................................... 2 Concept of Vocationalisation .................................................................. 2 Broad Purposes of Technical, Vocational Education (TVE) .............................. 2 The Specific Objectives of Vocationalisation .............................................. 4 Vocationalisation of the Secondary School Curriculum: Some Key Questions .........5 Background and Context ..................................................................... ..7 Structure of Pre and Post 1987 TVE in Ghana ............................................. 8 Policy Goals and the Implementation Experiences ....................................... . 9 Supply and Demand of Vocational & Technical Teachers................................ 13 Interest in Vocational Subjects and its Influence on Career Choice ..................... 14 Characteristics of Vocational & General Educational Students ...........................16 Rates of Return to Education: J.S.S and S.S.S ..............................................19 General Objectives of Vocational and Technical Subjects at SSS....................... 20 Assessment Issues .............................................................................. 24 Comparing Costs of Vocationalized Subjects and General Education Subjects ...... 28 Introduction: Background of Schools .................................... 28 Recurrent Costs of Schools (2000/2001) ................................ 29 Teachers Salaries and Allowances ....................................... 29 Other Emolument & School Equipment and Supplies ............... 31 Non-Teacher Costs ......................................................... 31 Student School Fees ........................................................ 31 Subject Specific Fees .......................................................31 Comparing Unit Recurrent Costs .............................................................34 Relative Recurrent Costs Per Subject Within and Between Schools .................... 35 Capital Expenditure........................................................................... 38 Overview .....................................................................38 Availability of Data .........................................................38 Derivation of Capital Cost Per Place ......................................38 Lessons from the Case Study and Recommendations ......................................42  List of Tables 1. Junior Secondary School Allocation of Periods to Subjects Per Week