Recently we have been discussing vocational education in a few of my classes. I learned that B.C. started implementing middle schools into the system in order to allow students as young as grade 6 to start taking classes in vocational studies (learning that is linked directly to work). Personally I didn’t realize that I have taken classes that would be considered vocational: woodwork, metal work, cooking, sewing, etc... These were all classes I took while I transitioned from elementary school to high school, without realizing what exactly their purpose was. I just thought these would be “fun” classes, something different than the mundane “core” classes we were taking. So what is the debate? In my history class we were put into groups and asked to debate over the issue of vocational studies. I was acting as though I was a parent, speaking to the school board against the implementation of vocational classes in middle school. It is very difficult to advocate for something you don’t fully believe in!
While a lot of us really seamed to encourage the idea of vocational classes we discussed the following as possible reasons NOT to implement these types of classes:
1. It encourages students who might not be motivated in academic classes to “take the easy” way out, and take “fun” hands-on classes instead.
2. Vocational classes take away from the core fundamentals (reading, writing, communicating) that are needed in all aspects of life.
3. Vocational studies now do not have the resources, teachers or funding to teach actual, fundamental skills of trades, just basic information and how to be successful in a working environment.
4. Implementing vocational classes requires FUNDING (isn’t that always the issue?). In order for vocational classes to be successful there needs to be trained (expert) teachers , proper equipment, safety regulations, and new classrooms.
5. Children are too young during Grade 6 (and too easily influenced) to be given options like this. They should be offered in high school when a student will have a stronger idea of who they are, and what direction they are going to take after high school.
6. Are children really able to handle the equipment necessary for some of the skills and machinery that is available to students in these classes or programs?
The more we discussed why we shouldn’t have these classes in school, the easier it was to get caught up in the chaos surrounding this issue. Maybe it isn’t such a good idea to have these hands-on, practical classes. Should children really be exposed to vocational studies, at such a young age, if at all? Then I read this article a fellow classmate shared with us, on macleans.ca and the few ounces of disillusion that I had quickly faded:
It is so true that we live in a technology run world; most people can’t go a day without using cell phones, checking their Facebook, or typing away on a computer. Adolescents today are known for doing this throughout the school day. So shouldn’t we revert back to traditional means of learning, showing students how to be innovative, hands on and kinesthetic instead of having an “app” for how to change a tire? Sadly, as this article points out, while we have vocational classes available to students, they are not being taught or implemented properly, so even students who are taking them still don’t know how to apply or use these skills! The few vocational classes that are available are not effective. Have vocational studies become as “mundane” as regular academic classes? Are students not learning how to be a positive contributor in the work force? Are students not being taught above everything else, how to be good and proper citizens within society? Is it really that easy to say that because someone is from a rural community they are more adept at hands-on skills, and is there a way to replicate this ‘farm-like’ situation in schools?
I don’t know how to answer my own questions. As an educator (and student who appreciated alternative classes) I hope that there is a balance within our education system, and students are able to learn how to not only conjugate verbs, but develop an understanding of what its like to live outside the school walls, in the real world.
Next time I get my fenced fixed, I will make sure to see where he or she holds the hammer.
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