ASSESSING THE PERCEPTION OF VOCATIONAL CATERING STUDENTS ON VOCATIONAL EDUCATION IN BRONG-AHAFO

ABSTRACT Research has shown that, vocational education presents an intriguing opportunity to investigate economic and social issues and give insight into the distinctiveness of a society. This study assessed the perception of Vocational Catering Students on Vocational Education in Brong-Ahafo Region. The study adopted a survey research design, seven vocational schools and 117 students were selected randomly for the study. The data for the study was gathered through questionnaire and analyzed with statistical measurement tools such as means, independent sampled T-test, frequencies and percentages. The study found out that, high employment opportunity after school, passion of becoming caterers, society and the environment in which students lived served as the major factors that influence students’ choice to pursue vocational education. Gender was the only variation factor on how students viewed catering education. Students were of the view that, there are a lot of job varieties to be employed in after studying vocational catering course. However, students felt the cost of catering education is high. It is recommended that frantic efforts should be made in reducing the cost of catering vocational education by retooling vocational schools with tools and equipment to reduce the cost borne by students.