Abstract
Nigerian government is making frantic efforts to drive her economy by laying emphasis on technical and vocational education to enable her compete favorably in the global market. Emphasis of government is in Polytechnic education where skills for self-reliant and economic growth are a priority. However, women are not embracing this opportunity by participating in the program that will equip them with skills and contribute to national development. In all 14 female participants were purposefully selected from Polytechnic. Phenomenological methodology was adopted and data collected were transcribed and analyzed. Results from the study include math/science phobia, perceived social support, and contextual roles among reasons for misrepresentation of women in technical and vocational education. Unless women have increased access to technical and vocational education in order to build diverse technical skills their vulnerability to unemployment and poverty will be on the rise. The findings of this study will guide stakeholders to develop a framework for improving the enrollment of women in this field.
Highlights
It cannot be overemphasized that technical and vocational education (TVE) is a precursor for social, economic and industrial development of any nation
All the women acknowledged that misrepresentation of women in technical and vocational education remains an issue in higher education in Nigeria
The feeling or impression by study participants is that mathematics is difficult and this is built in pupils from primary school an impression they bring to bear in secondary school
Summary
It cannot be overemphasized that technical and vocational education (TVE) is a precursor for social, economic and industrial development of any nation. Production of human resources both in developing and developed economy invariably entails equipping the youth (both male and female) with employability skills in technical and vocational education that will enable them live a functional and productive life. The scenario in Nigeria has been more males seeking and acquiring technical and vocational education than females at the Polytechnic institution. This no doubt spells doom for the technological and emancipation of the country especially as over half the entire population is females. There can be no meaningful development in Nigeria if women are deprived of the opportunity to acquire technical and vocational education knowledge or skills
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