Skill Based Education at the Secondary School Level in an Industrial City of Pakistan

Abstract

In this study, the necessity for skilled-based education at the secondary school level in an industrial city in Pakistan was analyzed. The research focused on the integration of skill-related subjects in secondary school curricula andaimed to investigate theskill set required in the industrial sector. To understand the current situation, governmental policies were reviewedand major challenges in implementing technical education were highlighted. It was qualitative research with an exploratory research design.Tehsil Gujranwala was the selected study area. Elite interviews with representatives of business, TEVTA, and Gujranwala school heads were used to gather the data. Three documents were analyzed i.e., the technical courses taught at the secondary school level, the National education policy of 2017, and the Punjab growth strategy of 2018. The results painted a bleak picture of state of skill-based education in an industrial city. All the stakeholders involved lacked ambition, communication, and teamwork. The objectives of government initiatives have not been met because of poor management of resources and misuse of finances. The respondents suggested that the media and NGOs might help to emphasize the value of skill-based education pertaining to the local needs. It was vital and crucial that the curriculum be modified in order to incorporate skill-based education into general education for the benefit of individuals, society, and ultimately Pakistan's socioeconomic development.