Technical and vocational education within the education system, and its role in national development (St. Kitts-Nevis)

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the place of technical and vocational education within the education system, and provide a context for guiding the simulation of a policy. The study looks at the failure of the proper functioning of a Multipurpose Institution provided for the enhancement of technical and vocational education. The reasons for its failure however, are examined within wider themes. The history of technical and vocational education in developed and developing countries, provides an insight into the philosophy that underpinned vocationalizing the curriculum within the various education systems. The resilience of technical and vocational education, despite the stated reasons for its non-success, is analysed and a background is provided for its continued existence; a continued existence that comes from exploring the link between education and the world of work. An appropriate insertion of a justified technical and vocational education into the education system is dealt with by examining its relationship with the cemented general education; and, having analysed the local situation, and the philosophical imperatives guiding national development, recommendations are advanced which will provide a framework for a National Policy for technical and vocational education.