Skill Stories from Students: Vocational Education in Africa

Vocational education in Ivory Coast, the world’s leading producer and exporter of cocoa beans

There is an adage that goes “the best comes from the west”.

Ivory Coast is a West African country. A former French colony, with a population of about 20 million people and happens to be the world’s leading producer and exporter of cocoa beans. Its economy is particularly based on agriculture especially cocoa and coffee. Just like other African countries, it continues to face obstacles in its political, economic, and educational sectors.

Yannick Stephane Mamicy Konan also gives us a brief perspective of vocational education in his country Ivory Coast. He is currently in his first year studying business administration in St Mary’s College. Vocational education and training is gaining importance now, it was not given importance earlier. Students enrol in vocational training institutes at two different stages:

• At the junior secondary level after passing the BEPC (brevet d’etudes du premier cycle). They can gain admission into the National Institute for Technical and Professional Training ( INFTP)
• At the senior high school level after passing the baccalaureate. They have the opportunity to enrol in any public or private institute that awards the BTS ( Brevet de Technicien Superieur) after the completion of a 2 year curriculum.

Cote D’ivoire’s largest and prestigious vocational school is the Institute National Polytechnique Felix Houphouet Boigny founded in 1975 in the country’s political capital Yamoussoukro.

Vocational education has helped to reduce poverty in my country. It has provided employment opportunities helping to reduce social vices among the youth. If African governments give much credit to this field, the continent will be a final destination for all. We are blessed with many natural resources but do not know how to utilise them. We need technical expertise to help in realizing a better Africa.

Sadly, the Ivorian educational system is undermined by strikes, so it is very difficult to promote vocational education among the youth. We are still trying to rebuild the nation after the civil war that took place in 2002. We lack facilities in most educational centers making practical lessons less attractive.

As a citizen from a third world country, I strongly believe that education is the pivot to development. Giving attention to the vocational sector will boost the African economies for the betterment of its citizens.