Vocational Training in Colleges of Education: Bridging the Gap between Theory and Practice

Abstract

The study examined vocational training in colleges of education: bridging the gap between theory and practice. The descriptive research design was used for the study. The population of the study comprises of over 600 deaf students in Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo, Oyo State. Random sampling technique was adopted to select 132 final year NCE students from the School of Vocational and Technical Education and Department of Rehabilitation Education (SRE) for the study. A four-point rating scale questionnaire titled Vocational Training in Colleges of Education, Bridging the Gap Between Theory and Practice Questionnaire (VTCEBGBTPQ) was used for data collection. The instrument was validated by Vocational training experts and an expert in Social Sciences and Humanities Department. Reliability of the instrument was carried out using testretest approach and computed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient, giving reliability coefficient of 0.75. The results obtained revealed that vocational education is crucial for equipping students with practical skills and competencies essential for employment and entrepreneurship. Also, the Students’ Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) and Industrial Training (I.T) has helped through job creation for students in Colleges of Education. Conclusively, vocational training in Colleges of Education is essential for addressing the skills gap, reducing unemployment, and fostering economic development in Nigeria. Finally, it was recommended that more funds should be put into I.T and SIWES programmes by the government. The time spent by the students in carrying out these programmes should be elongated. This will enable the students to be exposed to adequate industrial knowledge.