Perceptions of Vocational Education Students at Al-Balqa Applied University toward Vocational Education

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the perceptions of vocational education students at Al-Balqa Applied University toward vocational education. The sample of the study comprised 768 students enrolled in the second semester of the academic year 2021/2022. To achieve the objectives of the study, the descriptive survey methodology was used.A questionnaire consisting of 32 items was designed. The questionnire items fell into four categories: Syllabi, vocational advising, educational environment, and local community viewpoint about vocational education. Results of the study revealed that students’ perceptions toward vocational educations are within a ‘medium’ level. Further, the study revealed no significant statistical differences at (∝=0.05) value in the responses of the subjects of the study attributed to the two variables of academic year and university college and there were statistically significant differences at the significance level (∝ = 0.05) in the responses of the study sample due to the gender variable and in favor of females. Considering these results, the study recommended raising the community awareness about the significance of vocational education and improving the way people perceive it.