Effect of Vocational Content Integration on Developing Students’ Interest towards Schooling in Non-Formal Education

Abstract

Vocationally integrated content meets job market demands and prepares students for
successful careers. It engages students, inculcates practical skills, and promotes social and
economic development. This study aims to determine the effect of vocational content
integration on developing students’ interest towards schooling in Non-Formal Education. It
was a quantitative study based on three phases: determining need analysis, integration of
vocational skills and intervention in the classroom. The population of the study comprised
non-formal schools running under JICA, NCHD and AIOU in the slum areas of Islamabad.
The cluster sampling was made for determining need analysis. A self-developed questionnaire
was employed to conduct survey from 295 adult learners studying in the non-formal schools
to determine their needs. They most demanded skills from distance learners were stitching,
beautician and computer skills. The desired skills were integrated in the academic courses i.e.
Arithmetic, English and Urdu being taught in the non-formal schools. In the second phase, 30
lesson plans were developed following integrated curriculum aligned with the revised
vocational courses with the help of subject experts. At Phase three, a non-formal school from
NCHD was conveniently engaged to teach integrated curriculum. The teacher taught 30
lessons following lesson plans devised in the light of revised curriculum. The evidence of
change in attitude, regularity and interest towards schooling was measured through rating
scales before and after intervention (pre-test and post-test format). The effect of integrated
curriculum evidently visible in adult learners’ attitude and motivation towards schooling.
They were active and fully engaged in the classroom, which showed their motivation.
Findings showed adult learners increased interest in acquiring skills, leading to higher
engagement and helpful in earning their daily life needs. However, based on empirical
evidence of this study skill based integrated curriculum approaches are recommended which
enhance students’ interest and motivation towards schooling