LIBERAL AND VOCATIONAL EDUCATION.. A Welcome development.

Let us define liberal education as an education that enables a person to enjoy his leisure activities better. It may not necessarily prepare the individual for employment. On the other hand, vocational education is an education that learner / provides with the knowledge, skills or competence needed for an occupation. Taken together, therefore, liberal and vocational education could be defined as an education which prepares a person for the enjoyment and practice of an occupation, trade, vocation or profession. When a person derives a lot of enjoyment from his trade, he does it better, because he is happy doing it.

[source] (https://pixabay.com/illustrations/training-education-1848725/)

The encouragement being given to vocational education is a new trend in Nigeria in the past, emphasis was on 'white - collar ' jobs. But these jobs are no longer there for all graduates of the formal school system. Therefore, Nigerian Youths, encouraged by the economic realities of the time, are now ready to accept vocational education and the types of employment opportunities attached to it. At present the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) and other government agencies encourage vocational education for young school leavers as a way of solving the problem of unemployment in Nigeria.

For example, the NDE operates a National Open Apprenticeship Scheme under which Nigerian adolescents are trained in specific vocations. Examples of such vocations are auto - mechanic, carpentry, catering, hair - dressing, tailoring, printing, typing and shorthand. Opportunities for re- training or further training in specific vocations are also available for those already working. This is an example of non - formal vocational education.

[source] (https://pixabay.com/vectors/seal-school-education-sun-deer-40687/)

Classroom Teacher Work Here
This development has implications for the classroom teacher. At primary school level, the teacher should study his pupils and know their areas of interest. Specifically, teachers should know the subjects in which their pupils are weak and the one in which they are strong. They should advise the pupils to study at higher level only those subjects in which they are interested and good at. At the junior secondary school, the teacher should not compel his vocation - oriented students to transfer to the academic senior secondary school. Such students should be encouraged to go for vocation education. This is where the classroom teacher guidance comes in very well because at this point The pupils are open up to any advice from the teacher.
The teacher now explain to the students that they can also be as great as the professional lawyers, doctors, and engineers if they take their vocational studies very seriously.

SUMMARY
Vocational education is a programme of study or education organised to prepare Youth for a particular vocation or trade.

It is also organized for the purpose of upgrading those who are already employed.

In effect, vocational education includes such divisions as trade and industrial education, home economics and secretarial studies, among others. More than ever before.

Nigerians are now showing more interest in vocational education. This is why teachers should encourage their pupils to study vocational education.

Reference:
Adesina, Segun Nigerian education: trends and issue Ilorin 192.