Abstract
ABSTRACT The SDGs mark the clearest global acceptance yet that the previous approach to development was unsustainable. In VET, UNESCO has responded by developing a clear account of how a transformed VET must be part of a transformative approach to development. It argues that credible, comprehensive skills systems can be built that can support individuals, communities, and organisations to generate and maintain enhanced and just livelihood opportunities. However, the major current theoretical approaches to VET are not up to this challenge. In the context of Africa, we seek to address this problem through a presentation of literatures that contribute to the theorisation of this new vision. They agree that the world is not made up of atomised individuals guided by a “hidden hand”. Rather, reality is heavily structured within political economies that have emerged out of contestations and compromises in specific historical and geographical spaces. Thus, labour markets and education and training systems have arisen, characterised by inequalities and exclusions. These specific forms profoundly influence individuals’ and communities’ views about the value of different forms of learning and working. However, they do not fully define what individuals dream, think and do. Rather, a transformed and transformative VET for Africa is possible.
Highlights
The decision by the United Nations General Assembly in September 2015 to ratify the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) marked the clearest acceptance yet by the world’s leaders that the previous approach to development was unsustainable
We propose a new framework for theorising vocational education and training (VET) in Africa for sustainable development
We primarily focus on the educational literature but have looked into major development economics, development studies, management and political science journals, all of which occasionally carry VET-related articles, as well as into some key grey literature
Summary
The decision by the United Nations General Assembly in September 2015 to ratify the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) marked the clearest acceptance yet by the world’s leaders that the previous approach to development was unsustainable. We consider the economics of training literature, which may be divided into two broad traditions: an older tradition based in rate of return analysis, from which emerged the orthodoxy that VET provides poor rates of return; and a new tradition that is reflected in the rise of randomised controlled trials as an educational tool that draws on evaluations of intervention projects, an approach that has spawned some attempts at systematic reviews.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
