Delivery and Challenges of Vocational Teacher Education at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria

Abstract

The paper is meant to examine delivery and challenges of Vocational Teacher Education programme of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria. The popularity of ABU goes beyond Nigeria and West Africa. It is among the three first generation universities in Nigeria. It has a Faculty of Education which is generally concerned with teacher education in the university. Under it, there is a section that is primarily concerned with Vocational Teacher Education in the university. For better understanding of the nature of the study the paper conceptualizes the major concepts in the study which include; concepts of vocational education and vocational teacher education. It was observed that, the vocational teacher education in the university follows some strategies in the process of delivery these include; theoretical aspects of the training which is done through various courses offered in the departments and general education, this use to be accompanied by Teaching Practice (TP), Students’ Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES), Industrial Attachment, Field Trip and Practical. The vocational teacher education is run by two departments viz; Business Studies, Vocational and Technical Education and Home Economics. The Programme in the university is faced with some challenges which include; problem of funding, learning facilities, shortage of qualified vocational education lecturers, poor public perception and apathy, low information and technology compliance curriculum. It is therefore suggested that, Ahmadu Bello University should supply adequate resources to the technical and vocational education unit of the university. alongside with a budgetary allocation to the sector in order to cater for its recurrent expenditure in the training processes. The curriculum taught in other vocational education sector should be reviewed to meet the demands of the labour market as done by the Home Economics unit and be able to incorporate computer competence.