COMMONWEALTH ASSOCIATION OF

POLYTECHNICS IN AFRICA CONFERENCE

Globalisation and TVET in Africa:

Challenges and Opportunities

Implications of Globalisation for TVET Curriculum Design

Gabriel S Konayuma

Ministry of Science, Technology and Vocational Training

Zambia

Willow Park Conference Centre, Johannesburg

December 2007
Implications of Globalisation for TVET Curriculum Design

Globalisation and TVET in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities

Implications of Globalisation for TVET Curriculum Design

Gabriel S. Konayuma, BA Ed., MBA

Senior TEVET Officer, Ministry of Science, Technology and Vocational Training, Zambia.
gkonayuma@mstvt.gov.zm

Abstract

African countries are facing the challenges of globalisation that have significant impact and
implications on the delivery of TVET. These implications of globalisation for TVET include
the areas of curriculum design, training methodologies, pedagogical innovations and
resource mobilisation. This paper focuses on the implications of globalisation for TVET
curriculum design and training methodologies. It draws lessons from the experiences of TVET
curriculum design in Zambia and countries in the region. The paper concludes with
recommendations for closer co-operation between African nations which includes sharing of
best practices in TVET curriculum design and training methodologies. The paper seeks to
increase the knowledge of globalisation-induced trends in TVET delivery to TVET
practitioners. The paper also seeks to lead TVET practitioners and policy makers to an
understanding of the implications and impact of globalisation on education and training in
general. Lastly, the paper seeks to propose strategies that will promote quality and relevant
TVET for national development and economic competitiveness in a globalizing economy.

Key words: Globalisation, Technical and Vocational Education and Training, Curriculum
design.

INTRODUCTION

Globalisation has been described as a system of economic forces of change that are driving
the future. Indeed, no country can afford to ignore the effects of globalisation or the
increasing integration and inter-dependence of national economies. Globalisation is driven by
the ease of information exchange, capital flow, and the migration of people, labour, goods and
services across national boundaries. One of the main challenges of globalisation for TVET in
Africa is the tension it has created between developing skills for poverty eradication and skills
for global economic competitiveness (CAPA, 2007:1). African countries are facing the
challenges of globalisation that have significant impact and implications on the delivery of
TVET. These implications of globalisation for TVET include the areas of curriculum design,
training methodologies, pedagogical innovations and resource mobilisation. This paper
focuses on the implications of globalisation for TVET curriculum design and training
methodologies. It draws lessons from the experiences of TVET curriculum design in Zambia
and countries in the region.

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Implications of Globalisation for TVET Curriculum Design

BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON AFRICA

New policies and politics are slowly creating a completely new economic environment across
the African continent. Political changes are driving greater opportunity and openness. A spate
of liberalization and privatisation has flooded across the region (Shelley, 2004:11).

Geographically, Africa is the second largest continent on earth, occupying 20% of the Earth's
land area. Africa's land area is approximately 30.3657 square kilometers. The Nile River is
the world’s longest river. Other long rivers in Africa are the Congo, Niger, Zambezi, and
Orange rivers.

Africa's share of the world's major mineral reserves is estimated as follows: 8% petroleum,
27% bauxite, 29% uranium, 20% copper, 67% phosphorites, and substantial reserves of iron
ore, manganese, chromium, cobalt, platinum, and titanium. Algeria, Egypt, Libya, and Nigeria
are the major petroleum and natural gas producing countries in Africa. Botswana, Democratic
Republic of Congo, and South Africa together produce 50% of the world's diamonds. Ghana,
South Africa, and Zimbabwe together produce nearly 50% of the world’s gold. Africa’s
population is 887 million (about 14% of the total world population) (Globeafrica, 2007:1).

Key sectors in the African economy are: agriculture, mining, manufacturing, financial and
information and communication technology. In Agriculture the situation whereby African
nations export crops to the West while millions on the continent starve has been blamed on
Western States including Japan, the European Union and the United States. These countries
protect their own agricultural sectors with high import tariffs and offer subsidies to their
farmers, which many contend leads to the overproduction of such commodities as grain,
cotton and milk. The result of this is that the global price of such products is continually
reduced until Africans are unable to compete, except for cash crops that do not grow easily in
a northern climate. While mining and drilling produce most of Africa's revenues each year,
these industries only employ about two million people, a tiny fraction of the continent's
population. In manufacturing Africa is the least industrialized continent; only South Africa,
Egypt and other North African nations have substantial manufacturing sectors. Despite readily
available cheap labour, nearly all of the continent's natural resources are exported for
secondary refining and manufacturing. According to the African Development Bank, about
15% of workers are employed in the industrial sector (Wikipedia, 2007:1). In the ICT sector,
the continent has the largest growth rate of cellular subscribers in the world. African markets
are expanding nearly twice as fast as Asian markets. The African cell phone has created a base
for cellular banking. Some local and international banks are offering cellular banking as well
as Internet and e-mail banking.

DEFINITIONS OF KEY TERMS

Globalisation: Globalisation means growing interdependence, increased movement of goods,

services, capital and information and the diffusion of democracy and agreements on
environmental and human rights standards (Regan, 2002:224). Globalisation is also defined as
the increasing interconnection of people and places as a result of advances in transport,
communication, and information technologies that causes political, economic, and cultural
convergence (Wikipedia, 2007:1).

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Implications of Globalisation for TVET Curriculum Design

Technical and Vocational Education: Technical and Vocational Education. is used as a

comprehensive term referring to those aspects of the educational process involving, in
addition to general education, the study of technologies and related sciences, and the
acquisition of practical skills, attitudes, understanding and knowledge relating to occupations
in various sectors of economic and social life (UNESCO, 2001:1-2).

Curriculum: Curriculum refers to the teaching and learning activities and experiences which
are provided by schools. It is also defined as all aspects of teaching and learning such as the
intended outcomes of learning, learning programmes, assessment, methodology (SAQA,
2000:5).

CURRICULUM DESIGN IN TVET IN ZAMBIA

Curriculum design in TVET in Zambia is done using a mix of TVET trainers, staff from
industry, professional associations and staff from Technical Education, Vocational and
Entrepreneurship Training Authority (TEVETA) and government ministries. The curriculum
is designed for various programmes ranging from Construction, Tailoring and Design,
Information and Communication Technology, Carpentry and Joinery, Hospitality and
Tourism etc. New programmes are developed when a training need is identified by training
institutions, communities or industry. Existing programmes are reviewed in a similar manner.
Currently TEVETA manages the curriculum design and review process by supervising the
curriculum development teams and providing guidance. The curriculum is developed by
developing occupational profiles for various skills levels of training. These are then used to
develop curricula indicating the learning outcomes expected of trainees after the end of each
learning programme.

The curriculum is developed using a combination of DACUM (Develop A Curriculum) and

SCID (Systematic Curricula Instructional Design). Curriculum is developed at two levels:
national and local. National curricula is used by trainees from various provinces in Zambia
while local curricula are used by trainees in local communities to address their training needs.
The former is developed under the guidance of TEVETA and involves industry and staff from
different parts of Zambia while the latter involves mostly local staff.

For the national curricula, efforts are made to ensure that the national vision and plans are
incorporated. This includes ensuring that priority economic sectors such as mining,
agriculture and tourism have their curricula reviewed regularly. However, apart from the
national curricula developed by TEVETA, TVET institutions also use international curricula
developed mostly in the United Kingdom. There have been debates on the suitability of some
of the programmes for the development needs of Zambia. At one time, the Zambia Institute of
Marketing (ZIM) advised Zambians to ensure they obtained local Marketing qualifications
e.g. the marketing degree programme offered by the Copperbelt University and the Diploma
and Certificate Marketing programmes examined by the Examinations Council of Zambia
offered in TEVET institutions. Their argument in the advice offered was that the local
programmes offered addressed the marketing needs of Zambians. The professional marketing
programmes they later advised were suitable as an added advantage to students that already
the marketing programmes.

This case illustrates the way that a number of Zambians and may I say Africans get attracted
to studying foreign programmes without looking at whether they address local needs. Indeed

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Implications of Globalisation for TVET Curriculum Design

institutions offer these programmes because they are popular and they sound “nice” to teach
and have without looking at the consequence of whether the trainees will get employed and
contribute to national development. However, not all foreign programmes are in conflict with
the needs of African nations. It is important that ministries in charge of vocational education
and training devise measures to ensure that curricula that is used in training institutions
whether local or foreign is relevant to the needs of the nation. A number of nations in the
region such as South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Mauritius have developed qualifications
frameworks so as to ensure that qualifications that are offered are relevant and meet quality
measures. Zambia too is in the process of developing a TEVET Qualification Framework
(TQF) and National Qualification Framework (NQF).

IMPLICATIONS OF GLOBALISATION FOR TVET CURRICULUM DESIGN

What are the implications of globalisation for TVET Curriculum design?

Firstly, TVET Curriculum design should incorporate interdependence in today’s global arena.
From the definition of globalisation above which states that globalisation is growing
interdependence curriculum design in TVET must have the interdependence of subject areas
fused in it. For example, curricula in Information Technology should include aspects of
entrepreneurship, communication skills and management. Interdependence also covers the
area of interdependence of nations in knowledge and skills. As globalisation spreads
Curriculum designers need to realise that skills and knowledge that they may lack could be
acquired using the Internet. The Internet brings global knowledge close to people wherever
they are found.

Secondly, globalisation requires the development of high level skills in TVET trainees. This
entails that the curriculum should not just concentrate on traditional skills but also develop
high level technical skills for global economic competitiveness. “Although the primary
objective of TVET in Africa is to help alleviate poverty through the acquisition of employable
skills, a strategic approach to skills development on the content cannot ignore the effects of
globalisation. In a globalising world economy, the acquisition of “industrial” skills is also
important” (African Union, 2007:15).

Thirdly, globalisation implies that TVET Curriculum design should be flexible. Designers of
TVET curriculum need to bear in mind that trainees in TVET have different backgrounds
socially, economically, technologically and also in terms of knowledge and skills. TVET
curriculum design should have greater emphasis on recognition of prior learning. This is to
ensure that trainees’ are not made to take subjects or modules whose knowledge or
competencies that they already possess.

Fourthly, cross-cutting issues such as HIV & AIDS, gender, disability and the environment
need to be part and parcel of TVET curriculum design in an increasingly global world. HIV
and AIDS for example is a reality globally that has a negative impact on the developing
human resource base of many nations. A number of nations are losing youths that would
otherwise contribute to economic development if they were not claimed by the AIDS
pandemic. TVET curricula apart from bio-medical and scientific programmes should address
HIV & AIDS issues. It should also integrate issues of disability. In Zambia, Information and
Communication Technology curricula for the Visually Impaired was developed in 2004. The

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Implications of Globalisation for TVET Curriculum Design

issue of gender and development is also key in TVET Curriculum design. The very design of
curriculum should avoid gender stereotyping. Some vocational training programmes like
dressmaking, hairdressing, and cookery are associated with girls – very often girls who are
less gifted academically. In Benin, for example, such girls are derogatorily referred to as
following the “c” option of the secondary school curriculum: la serie “c” – couture, coiffure,
cuisine!” (African Union, 2007:34).

Globalisation is also impacting TVET curriculum design in issues of the environment.

Sustainable development in TVET is becoming a key topic at many international TVET fora.
Recently UNESCO hosted a Virtual Conference on Education for Sustainable Development.
The conference sought to provide participants with a better understanding of how SD can be
addressed through TVET in different contexts. It also sought to bring out an outcome of
criteria and principles that described sustainable performance of TVET institutions.

Fifthly, globalisation implies that TVET Curriculum design should incorporate ICT enabled
education. E-learning is becoming an important way for many to acquire knowledge and skills
within TVET institutions and at the workplace. E-learning has also become a major theme in
TVET for a in Africa. E-learning Africa has recently held two conferences i.e. in Ethiopia in
2006 and in Kenya this year. Plans are already in full swing for another conference in May
2008 in Ghana (details are on www.elearning-africa.com). The conference this year attracted
over 1200 participants with 80% coming from Africa. UNESCO has taken advantage to have
a one day African summit on the first day for TVET Policy makers and practitioners to
discuss issues of ICT and e-learning.

Sixthly, globalisation has implications for TVET curriculum design in that the curricula needs
to address the flooding of markets in Africa with cheap products. For instance, an African
TVET graduate who was taught Carpentry and Joinery would face a great challenge in selling
their wooden furniture when it competes with international products made from plastic. The
curriculum should thus include aspects of how students can manufacture furniture from
bamboo and other products. It should also emphasize aspects of business management,
business opportunity identification and marketing strategies in order to survive in a globally
competitive market.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Policy Makers and Governments

 Introduce sustainable funding schemes for TVET. If TVET is to make a
significant contribution to the economic development then sustainable funding
is very important.
 Increase funding support to the sector. In as much as there is competing
demand for funding from other sectors, African nations can best produce
globally competitive trainees with adequate funding to the TVET sector.
 Set up venture capital and provide tools and equipment to support TVET
graduates start their own enterprises which will lead to job and wealth creation.
 Support research and development in the TVET sector to ensure that national
TVET systems can cope with the effects of globalisation.
 Constantly monitor and evaluate the TVET system to ensure improved quality,
relevance and access.
 Incorporate generic skills in curriculum such as:

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Implications of Globalisation for TVET Curriculum Design

(a) collecting, analyzing and organizing information;

(b) communicating ideas and information;
(c) planning and organizing activities;
(d) working with others and in teams;
(e) using mathematical ideas and techniques;
(f) solving problems; and
(g) using technology (Bhuwanee, 20005:1)

2. Training Providers
 Establish strong linkages and collaboration with employers and industry.
 Mainstream cross cutting issues such as entrepreneurship, HIV & AIDS,
gender into training programmes and activities. Joint studies such as the one
undertaken by Botswana and Zambia in 2006 (TVET sector) with the support
of UNESCO-UNEVOC and their respective governments are commendable.
 Benchmarking against best practices in TVET nationally, in Africa and outside
Africa.

3. Co-operating Partners
 Need to partner in funding research and advocacy for TVET.

CONCLUSION

The paper looked at Curriculum design in Zambia highlighting the involvement of TVET
regulators, providers and industry in the design. The paper then looked at the implications of
globalisation on curriculum design. Implications such as interdependence in the curriculum,
development of high levels skills in TVET trainees, a flexible TVET Curriculum design,
incorporating cross-cutting issues in curriculum design and having a TVET Curriculum
design incorporating ICT enabled education and having curricula that addresses the flooding
of markets in Africa with cheap products. The paper makes recommendations for policy
makers, training providers and co-operating partners. These recommendations are meant to
ensure that curriculum design in Africa is relevant, accessible and of high quality so as to
remain globally competitive. This is in keeping with the African Union vision of “an
integrated, peaceful, prosperous Africa, driven by its own people to take its rightful place in
the global community and the knowledge economy.”

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

African Union, 2007 Strategy to Revitalise Technical and Vocational Education and Training
in Africa. Addis Ababa: African Union.

Bhuwanee, T. 2005 “Learning for Skills Development: Developing Key Generic

Competencies”. UNESCO Professional Cadres and TVET Policy Makers Seminar. Lilongwe:
UNESCO.

CAPA, 2007 Invitation Letter for International Conference on “Globalisation and TVET in
Africa: Challenges and Opportunities”: 3rd-7th December, 2007. Nairobi: Commonwealth
Association for Polytechnics in Africa.

Globe Africa, 2007 Africa: General Facts [online].

Available from http://www.globeafrica.com/Commons/geo.htm. [Accessed 30th August
2007]

Regan, C. 2002 80:20 Development in an Unequal World. Wicklow: 80:20 Educating and
Acting for a Better World,

SAQA, 2000 The National Qualifications Framework and Curriculum Development. Pretoria:
South African Qualifications Authority.

Shelley, S. 2004 Doing Business in Africa. Cape Town: Zebra Press.

UNESCO, 2001 Revised Recommendation Concerning Technical and Vocational Education.

Paris: UNESCO.

Wikipedia 2007 Globalization [online]. Available from:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Globalization [Accessed on 30 November 2007].

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