Planning for an "education/business partnership" : linking the technical schools of the Seychelles Polytechnic with the educational environment and the community

Abstract

Small Islands Developing countries are currently at the point at which they increasingly need to evolve and develop their own systems of technical education and training as an integral part of the development of a modern industrial state. Hence it is the belief of many policy-makers and educational planners that the inclusion of Vocational Education and Training in their educational programmes would, in the long -run, contributes positively towards the manpower needs of their countries, thus bringing about economic development. Cognizant of the above belief, this Research Project attempts to bring to light the challenges that policy - makers and educational planners in Seychelles have to face when implementing vocational education and training, given the complexity of the field. In particular, key issues about the nature of vocational education and training at the Seychelles Polytechnic are raised and critically analysed. Given the numerous constraints impeding the progress of technical education in most technical schools of the Polytechnic , the present author believes that an appropriate pedagogic system for increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of vocational education and training is through the establishment of links between education and the wider community - "Education I Business Partnership" is an important element of the concept of sustainable development which many small states are thriving to achieve as part of their long-term visions.