Assessment of the vocational education programmes in Niger State: An Overview,

Abstract

This study was designed to assess the vocational education programmes in Niger state. The study covered all vocational training centers in the state. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 63 respondents which comprised of 54 teachers and 9 administrators of these vocational training centers Three research questions guided the study Mean and standard deviation were used to analyze the data collected. The cut-off point for the mean to be accepted was fixed at 2.50. The result indicated that vocational training centers have inadequate equipment and infrastructure for practical work; student enrolment in the programme is decreasing over the years: parents do not encourage and support their children to undertake vocational education programmes; the general societal attitude towards vocational training is not encouraging; vocational educational programmes in Niger state are grossly underfunded. Based on the findings, the following were recommended among others: The state government should partner with the community in the provision of adequate facilities, infrastructure and equipment for vocational programme, the state government should improve in funding of vocational education, parents should encourage and give their children sufficient financial support in the programme.