Perspectives on Vocational Education in Africa

The aim of this paper is to provide a landscape view of the values and justifications of different types of vocational education, specifically in Africa. At first, the paper will review the justifications of vocational education. African governments often state that vocational education is the most efficient means to meet the manpower demand in the labor market. However, this justification is rarely supported by empirical data. The paper reveals that there are other reasons that governments do not give up this form of education. Three different types of vocational education are here examined: Separate-track vocational education; vocationalized general education; and non-formal vocational education. Based on the review of the opinions of people who promote or criticize each types of vocational education, the paper will show the strengths and weaknesses of each type. This analysis will serve to better understand and consider the vocational education in Africa.