Competence-based education and training (CBET) has received much interest globally due to its perceived potential in producing competent graduates required by the labour market. It is currently a common feature of most vocational and technical education and training reforms around the world. However, the term ‘competence’ has wide and varied contextual meanings interpreted from a myriad of perspectives; hence diverse implementation practices are evident. In this study I review the evolution of CBET and understandings of the notion of competence globally, and examine and critique its efficacy in addressing the challenges of skill formation in Tanzania. Initially, through review of literatures, I distinguish four competence approaches – behaviourist, generic, integrated (cognitive), and social-constructive, from which I develop a theoretical framework to map the global competence approaches and CBET trajectories and within this specific path followed by Tanzania. Due to a combination of global and national influences, the introduction of CBET in Tanzania in early 2000 marked a paradigm shift from the traditional knowledge-based education and training (KBET). In order to explore the relationship between the external and internal factors in shaping this change, eight interviews were initially conducted with national policy makers, including the ‘pioneers’ of Tanzanian CBET. The complex dynamic of shaping factors was explored more thoroughly through a further 16 interviews with four CBET pioneers, two policy makers, one employers’ association, two professional associations and seven employers of CBET graduates in order to understand how wider influences are interpreted by those ‘on the ground’. In addition, a survey of 28 teachers from technical institutions and document analysis were undertaken. This research approach at global, national and local levels suggests that a social-technical model of competence could emerge in Tanzania. The study also considers the conditions for its successful implementation.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:642851 |
| Date | January 2014 |
| Creators | Rutayuga, Adolf Babiligi |
| Publisher | University College London (University of London) |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Source | http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/10021640/ |
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