Strategies for effective implementation of sustainable development in vocational and Technical Teacher Education in Nigeria

Abstract

The idea behind sustainable development is the motivation to ensure that developmental activities result in social and economic  wellbeing of human and wellness of environmental resources, transcending in time and in space. Education and training in general and  vocational teacher education in particular, play key role in the achievement of sustainable development goals. Consequently, there has  been a crusade for integrating sustainable development in the educational and training processes. This study therefore investigate  possible strategies for effectively implementing sustainable development in vocational and technical teacher education in tertiary  institutions in Rivers State. The study was guided by three objectives and three research questions. A descriptive survey design was  adopted for the study using questionnaire to gather information from a sample of 52 lecturers and instructors of vocational teacher education programmes in tertiary institutions in Rivers State. Data gathered were analised using Mean and percentages. Results show  that poor partnership between industrial sector and Vocational and Technical Teacher Education programmes towards enhancing  practical skill acquisition among student is one of the challenges facing effective implementation of sustainable development in  vocational and technical teacher education in Nigeria. Allocation of adequate time for practical activities was found as one of the  strategies for effective implementation of elements of sustainable development found in the curriculum for vocational and technical  teacher education. Furthermore, integrating assessment with questions that will probe students' awareness of education for sustainable  development was one of the strategies for integrating concept of sustainable development in the instructional process for vocation and technical teacher education. Based on the finding, it was recommended among others that adequate supervision should be provided for  students on industrial attachment and teaching practice to ensure achievement of programme goals.