Examining the Quality of Practical Learning in Secondary School Technical and Vocational Education Curriculum in Solomon Islands

Abstract

The government of the Solomon Islands is committed to the achievement of 'Education for All' (EFA) through its various education reform programs. Central to the government's education sector reform is the provision of quality education, which is an important tool to achieve the millennium development goals (MDGs), particularly the education sector goals of universal completion of basic education in primary and secondary education by 2015. To achieve the MDGs, the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) has listed technical and vocational education (TVE) as one of the three key areas in its Education Strategic Framework (ESF). The ESF stresses that in order for the Solomon Islands to achieve the EFA goal, it should improve the quality of learning to enhance student achievement in all areas and forms of education. It is against this policy framework that this article sets to examine the quality of practical learning in the secondary school TVE curriculum. The focus question that guides the discussion is: how is Solomon Islands resourcing and promoting quality practical learning in its secondary school TVE curriculum? The article concludes that the delivery of quality practical learning in the secondary school TVE curriculum is hampered by a number of factors, important amongst them being the shortage of suitable qualified teachers, the dominance of academic education and lack of learning resources, tools and equipment. As the deadline for the achievement of the EFA is drawing near, it is critically important for the government to put in place a policy intervention to address the key impediments to quality practical learning in the secondary school TVE curriculum.