The unemployment rate in Nigeria is rising every year thereby increasing the rate of poverty in our economy today. As it stands today, Nigeria is known as the poverty capital of the world, with more than 90 million people living on less than a dollar per day. The lucky ones with wealthy parents are quick to secure jobs in big companies, while many exceptionally qualified people who cannot secure beneficial employments have remained financially dependent on their parents and even the government. This problem of unemployment can be solved through the adoption of vocational education in both primary and secondary schools.
Firstly, vocational education is education that prepares people to work in various jobs, such as a trade, a craft, or as a technician. Furthermore, it is sometimes referred to as career education or technical education. It sets one up for the world of work with which the individual ends up being independent and can make commitments to the development of society.
Explained below are 5 reasons why vocational education should be integrated into the curriculum:
1. It Promotes Entrepreneurship
The adoption of vocational education in schools will increase entrepreneurship among youths. It makes the students learn how to be independent and self-sufficient which will consequently generate more jobs out there. The promotion of entrepreneurship is a good solution to our economic condition today considering that recession has left many without jobs.
2. It Leads to Learning Soft Skills
It develops soft skills that create opportunities such as interpersonal skills, communication skills, and negotiation skills, managerial skills, networking skills which increases the chance of becoming an entrepreneur or getting a job.
3. It Aids Easy Employment
Vocational education makes it easier for students to find employment. It serves as an added advantage to the student while job-seeking. In recent times, it has been noticed that employers prefer to hire graduates who have done a vocational course to graduates with only a certificate.
4. It Gives the Student a Chance of Career Choice
The most important decision that a student has to take is choosing the right career for themselves which better prepares them for life. Choosing a career is better done at an early age because it creates time for mastery. Vocational education opens more options on what career to choose and build on for the students.
5. It Prepares the Student for a Job
Vocational education prepares the student for a job because most organizations do not rely on just an educational certificate, they majorly lookout for skilled individuals. It furthermore prepares students for a specific job. It equips a person with the skills and qualities required to do a particular job, such as fashion designing, interior decoration, computer networking, auto repairing, etc.
Finally, it can be said that vocational education should be integrated into Nigerian schools’ curriculum as it will help to increase the number of independent youth, hence reducing the unemployment rate in the country. Not just being an entrepreneur, it prepares the students with necessary soft skills which makes it easy for the students to secure employment opportunities.
