Vocational education in the Portuguese public secondary school: Perceptions of its main educational agents

Authors

  • Armando Esteves Universidade da Beira Interior (UBI)
  • Maria Luísa Frazão Branco Universidade da Beira Interior Departamento de Psicologia e Educação http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8589-1310

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14507/epaa.26.2791

Keywords:

Vocational Courses, Perception, Educational Actors, Importance, Implementation, Vocational Courses’ Quality

Abstract

Vocational education was officially introduced in Portuguese public secondary schools in 2004, within the framework of the Europeanization of national educational policies. The main goals of this initiative were the increase of skilled labor and the diversification of the dual certification training, posing several challenges to schools. In this context, the main objective of the present study is to verify the perception held by the main educational actors of vocational courses in the public secondary school. To achieve this aim, a descriptive study was done using questionnaire surveys at a public secondary school that has offered vocational courses since its inception in 2004. Among the obtained results, it should be highlighted that according to the teachers and the directors, the vocational courses have been an asset to the consolidation of the goals of the educational project of the school, reinforcing its role in the training of qualified young people to the labor market and enhancing their identity, not to mention the remarkable improvement in student’s marks.  In the students’ point of view, we must take into account the practical nature of the courses and orientation to the labor market, the quality of training, and the promotion of their educational success.

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Author Biographies

Armando Esteves, Universidade da Beira Interior (UBI)

Mestre em Supervisão Pedagógica e Doutorando em Educação na Universidade da Beira Interior. Professor Efetivo do Ensino Secundário, onde lecciona há muitos anos em cursos profissionais. A sua investigação tem-se centrado em questões ligadas ao ensino profissional na escola pública.

Maria Luísa Frazão Branco, Universidade da Beira Interior Departamento de Psicologia e Educação

Doutora em Educação pela Universidade da Beira Interior. Professora Associada do Departamento de Psicologia e Educação da Universidade da Beira Interior e membro integrado do Centro de I&D LabCom. É ainda diretora do 3º Ciclo em Educação na mesma universidade. Os seus interesses de investigação centram-se na educação e cidadania, organização da educação e equidade, formação de professores e desenvolvimento profissional docente.

 

Published

2018-07-02

How to Cite

Esteves, A., & Branco, M. L. F. (2018). Vocational education in the Portuguese public secondary school: Perceptions of its main educational agents. Education Policy Analysis Archives, 26, 78. https://doi.org/10.14507/epaa.26.2791

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Section

Articles