Why and how to integrate general education with technical and vocational education

Author

(PhD), Research Institute for Education (Ministry of Education)

Abstract

This paper explains the need for the integration of general education with technical and vocational education and provides a framework for such integration. The main problem is a lack of clear understanding and a theoretical framework about the necessity (scientific, economic and social justification) for integration of general education with technical and vocational education and the lack of convincing evidence on the appropriate method of integration. Considering the nature of the research question, qualitative methods were used for documentation. According to the concepts and implications of studies on new vocationalization, it seems that the integration of general education with technical and vocational education can lead to the enrichment of both domains and it could be beneficial for all students. General education comprises the foundation of technical and vocational education and all population of students (not a special group) need such a foundation. So, the integration of these two types of education seems inevitable. Intertwining general education with technical and vocational education is an educational strategy that requires empirical criteria to judge its usefulness. However, a general movement towards such integration at the international level has been clearly seen, and such integration ideas are emerging in our country, too.

Keywords