Lerning Outside Classroom: Advantage and Disadvantage of Vocational Education

Advantage and Disadvantage of Vocational Education

When we graduated from Mathayom 3or grade 9, there are 2 options for us to further our education, namely general education and vocational education. Vocational education seems weaker than general one.  Although vocational education has negative image, this dost not mean that Thai Vocational Education is not good.

          The main advantage of vocational education is easy to find jobs. All vocational students are prepared to be ready for their careers with various courses and internship. Hence, almost employers usually accept vocational students to work in their companies because they realize that the students have enough experience for working. In case, if we have an opportunity to do our internship at a good company, we will get paid. Fortunately, if we do good job and our boss recognizes our diligence, we might be able to work there immediately. Furthermore, the vocational education is very interesting to learn. There are various and interesting courses to learn.  A poll conducted by the Office of the Higher Education Commission (OHEC) revealed that 2 most popular vocational courses are industrial subjects with 37% of students followed by commerce or business administration courses with 24% of students. The results from Suan Dusit poll showed that the most popular course is automotive technician followed by accounting, business administration and electrical technology. Apart from this, when we have completed vocational certificate, we will have 2 options for our future studying. We can study in higher vocational certificate. Meanwhile, we can choose to study in some universities. Suan Dusit poll showed that 63.24% of vocational students have permanent after they graduate. In addition, vocational study is not stressed. It is good for those who are not good at science and mathematics.  Also, the students can go out of their institution after they finished their classes. Besides, their uniform is unique and pretty.

          One of the major disadvantages of vocational education is that bad image. We often hear negative news on TV or newspaper about students from 2 different institutions fight on the bus, for example, mechanical students from Pathumwan Institute of Technology were shoot by opponents, Rajamangala university University Tawan-Ok, Uthenthawai Campus. Moreover, Mr.Chaturon, the current Minister of Education, said that a survey showed that in 2004, the number of fight of vocational students raised 3,000 times per years. Secondly, opportunities to study in universities of vocational students are restricted. In many vocational education institutions, there are not any advisors to give useful information about university admission. This can cause the students confused about the university admission system. Moreover, some faculties in several universities do not accept vocational students because the knowledge of Physic, Chemistry and Biology is required. Finally, Thai children and their parents still have wrong attitudes about vocational education. Almost of them view it ineffective and without dignity unlike receiving university degrees. In the past, students graduated from vocational institutions were unemployed. For ones who were employed, they were blue-collar.

          All things considered, no matter how advantageous or disadvantageous vocational education is, if we are good students, we can succeed in our study. Meanwhile, if we are lazy no matter where we study, we cannot succeed easily. Thus, we should study in programs that suit our interests and abilities.

General Education: is the best choice for Thai students

 General Education: is the best choice for Thai students

Normally, secondary students who had completed certificate need to decide about their further studying. Therefore, almost of them usually confuse to choose appropriate major education for them. They also would be facing problem don’t know any information about it. How they can solve this problem?  Can you see how troubles are they? On my view, a general education or learning in high school is the best choice for Thai students. So the governments should be motivate and encourage Thai students to continue studying in a general education. They may be promote or give more information about the general education, especially, information in senior high school level. 

          One point in favor of studying in general education is a lot of high schools in Thailand could support Thai students' study courses. There are more over 1,000 good qualities Thai senior high schools for Thai students’ choices, which it is rather than vocational institutions. For example in Nakhon Si Thammarat, there are 71 high schools while vocational institutions just 11. In addition, senior high school students have opportunity graduating at undergraduate level is faster than vocational students by just learn with "Pre-degree course." Likewise Ramkhamhaeng University allows students in grade 10-12 can enroll in some faculties of it. Thirdly, according to Office of the Basic Education Commission, 60% of Thai students choose to study in a General Education (GE). As was previously stated, it’s a good choice for Thai students. As the result, many students interested to study in a general education.

          What is more, high school students can get chance to be exchange students. They will get various experiences of living on abroad; cultures and languages form own country. Furthermore, it's the opportunity to enhance your credit. It was taken to written in their portfolio for apply to study or apply for a scholarship. Moreover, good jobs that they don't have to risk and also have a high salary, for example, doctor and engineer, only for the academic study.  Because of these faculties need a high score in math and science admission. For instance, the most high salary rate is doctor which starting salary for new graduates is 51,285 baht. In the same way, the minimum is 15,000 baht for a graduate degree, meanwhile students who graduated from vocational get start at 6,500-10,000 baht (National Statistical Office). By the way, on the whole almost of them are usually appear good images more than vocational students. Similarly, Empirical research shows that vocational students with smoking rates, having to carry weapons and bickering with fighting are higher than high school students, (Prof.Dr. Savitri, 2011) All things considered, a General Education (GE) is the best choice for Thai students.

       On the other hand, almost of general education students don’t get direct learning experience from apprenticeship like vocational students. Nevertheless, they were allowed to internship at local hospital of each district. This is for students who want to work in hospitals. Besides, they can get several of careers experiences by getting part-time job or learning in courses for careers, which are additional courses in all Thai high schools. And in the event of they did not have perfect experience in pragmatic as another education; it was a cause of some private companies request to recruit people who have experienced rather than high school students who aren't tight with pragmatic performance. Although the problem, quite serious effect for general education students or high school students, government supports people who holds a Bachelor with the minimum salary is 15,000 baht. A part from that, there are high emulation to admit in high schools because 60% of Thai students interested in a general education. However, there are moreover 1,000 high schools in Thailand to support them.

     In conclusion, even of studying in a general education has much hindrance, as the result people who are studied be resourceful. Moreover, they will get both of stable works and rich wealth when they are graduated. According to policy of the government supports people who hold a Bachelor with the minimum salary is 15,000 baht. Furthermore, general education students can get experiences about living of study on abroad and career pragmatic as not less as vocational students. These points was well put by Earl J. McGrath, cited in Miller 1988 when he said, “General education is the thread that ought to weave a pattern of meaning into the total learning experience” and support the idea by Arthur Levine, cited in Miller 1988, was said “General education is the breadth component of the undergraduate curriculum”