ImprovingtheQualityofEducationandTraining(systems.pdfVIP

Improving the Quality of Education and Training (systems, institutions and programmes) through the UNEVOC Networks: A Presentation at the First China (Shenzhen) International Technical and Vocational Education Summit Forum, Shenzhen Polytechnic, Shenzhen, China, 19 May, 2006 By L. Efison Munjanganja, Ed. D Head of UNEVOC Networks Salutation It is a pleasure to take part in this the First China (Shenzhen) International Technical and Vocational Education Summit Forum. More importantly, it is also a great pleasure and an honour to do a presentation at this Forum. Introduction My presentation is on the topic: “Improving the quality of education and training (systems, institutions and programmes) through the UNEVOC Networks”. Questions such as ‘what is quality education and training?’, ‘how can education and training meet the needs of learners and the world of work?’, ‘what strategies can be deployed to improve the quality of education and training?’ are often asked by education and training practitioners. This is so because constant work-place changes necessitate the continuous search for quality, relevance and excellence in the arena of education and training. Additionally, the interest in and concerns for effective and efficient education and training programmes occupy an important place among policy-makers and practitioners. Therefore, the topic of my presentation should have a familiar ring to many in this Technical and Vocational Education Summit Forum. The themes of the Forum, in particular those related to access, equity, quality, linkages and education and business partnerships are not far removed from the goals and objectives of the UNESCO Technical and Vocational Education Programme (1999) as a whole, which are: to strengthen Technical and Vocational Education; to orient T