STAKEHOLDERS’ PERCEPTION ON IMPLEMENTATION OF TVET PROGRAM IN EAST HARARGHE ZONE, OROMIA REGIONAL STATE

Abstract

Technical and Vocational Education and Training is currently one of the key issues for the development of human capital based on the principle of nation building. There is an agreement that the proper training of the youth with different levels technical skills will contribute a lot in realizing the development goals of Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to identify stakeholder’s perception towards implementation of TVET program in east Hararghe zone. There is eight TVET colleges in the zone the researcher purposively took fifty percent of the colleges. The study was carried out in four government TVET institutions in the east Hararghe Zone namely Haramaya, Babile, chelanko and Gursum . 114 of trainers and 10 of the TVET officials taken by available sampling, 131 of trainees were selected by stratified sampling because of heterogeneous of the soft and hard training programs and 47 of the current TVET graduate taken by purposive sampling. Descriptive research methodology was employed by the study and data were collected using questionnaire, interview, and focused group discussions with the respondents. The study discloses that both trainees and trainers concluded that the stakeholders were not considered TVET as academic subjects and the TVET program also designed for lower achievers. The majority of the respondents have negative perception towards the TVET program and vocational education less important than academic subjects. The majority of the respondents were argued that unemployment has bad psychological effect on people specially on those trained but could not find employment. The findings of this study revealed that stakeholders have negative perception towards technical and vocational education and training program on the importance of vocational education, advising others to train, planning to study TVET program as their first choice when they were in grade ten. As indicated in the findings TVET program was designed for lower achievers who cannot pass to preparatory schools. Generally the current study concluded that stakeholders believe that the societies had negative perception towards vocational education. Trainees should deserve to decide on issue matters concerning their future study and even career choices based on their skill and interest without any restrictions of students’ achievement. The society should also be aware and understand the concept and importance of vocational education by get-rid of the traditional belief instead they have to support trainees to choose their field of study. The zone and districts officials should create strong awareness to the TVET graduate in order to eradicate and decrease the number of the unemployment. TVET institutions should build a strong tie with secondary schools; this could help them to assess interests of trainees will help them to develop positive perception. Zone, district officials and concerned bodies should arrange the guidance and counseling services that help to build the confidence of those assigned to join TVET institutions were recommended.