Abstract

The objectives were to: 1) assess and analyse students’ perceptions toward vocational education; 2) propose a new paradigm and alternative pathways to change students’ perceptions about vocational education. The use of mixed methods in this study developed a better understanding of secondary students’ decisions towards vocational education. The results obtained from different methods have enriched the understanding of vocational education issues and advanced research in vocational education. A five-point Likert scale questionnaire was used to analyse the perceptions of 802 secondary students from six Thai regions toward vocational education. In-depth interviews with 18 students in grades 7-12 were analysed using a content analysis. Secondary students who had completed or were enrolled in vocational education influenced secondary students’ views on vocational education. A new paradigm is required for new vocational education images, which may modify the image of vocational education and contribute to a new paradigm shift in vocational education.

Keywords

vocational education innovation, new paradigm in vocational education, perceptions of vocational education, vocational learning

Nongluck Manowaluilou, Prachyanun Nilsook and Prompilai Buasuwan (2023) Perceptions and the new paradigm of Thai vocational education.
International Journal of Innovation and Learning. Vol. 33, No. 3 ; pp 344-365. (SCOPUS) https://doi.org/10.1504/IJIL.2023.130101