Parents’ And Students’ Perceptions About Technical and Vocational Education and Training in Ghana

Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is an effective tool for industrialisation. However, literature exposes several setbacks in TVET; mainly an unfavourable reputation and inadequate financial support. With a sample size of 383 (parents and student), this survey was conducted to investigate parents’ and students’ perceptions of TVET in the Kumasi Metropolis in Ghana. The study revealed that parents perceive TVET to be for "weak" students. The students on the other hand believe that TVET will limit their academic achievements. The source of these perceptions were known to be parents, teachers, and graduates from TVET institutions. The effect of the perception of TVET is a vicious cycle of poor TVET perception which will continue to hinder the development of TVET. Retooling of the Ghanaian TVET sector is thus suggested with specific emphasis on reorientation leading to positive attitudinal change to do away with the negative tag about TVET in Ghana.