Secondary vocational education
Secondary vocational education in Ghana
In Ghana, secondary vocational education is part of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). The Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET) is responsible for the content of study programmes (curriculum) and the accreditation of educational institutions (TVET providers) and study programmes.
Types of study programmes
There are many types of study programmes in Ghanaian secondary vocational education. The study programmes vary in terms of their admission requirements, , content and . You need information about this in order to determine the level of a diploma. Below, we describe 2 diplomas we often see: the Certificate I and the Certificate II.
Duration
The official length of the full-time programme (not part-time) without study delay.
Transfer entitlement
The possibility to continue on to an advanced programme, in some cases with exemptions for several subjects or a certain period.
Certificate I
- Duration: 2 years.
- Content: profession-oriented subjects.
- Admission requirements: a Basic Education Certificate or a comparable diploma.
- Function of the diploma: access to study programmes for a Certificate II.
- Diploma: a Certificate I.
We compare a Certificate I to an diploma level 2.
MBO
Secondary vocational education (middelbaar beroepsonderwijs, MBO). MBO prepares pupils for the professional practice or further study. This type of education follows on from VMBO; its duration will depend on the chosen qualification. MBO comprises 4 levels (I-IV). Read more on the website of SBB.
Certificate II
- Duration: 1 year.
- Content: profession-oriented subjects and some general education subjects. The general education subjects are as follows:
- English language;
- entrepreneurship;
- integrated science (a combination of biology, chemistry and physics);
- mathematics; and
- social studies.
- Admission requirements: a Certificate I or a West African Senior School Certificate.
- Function of the diploma: access to study programmes for a Higher National Diploma (HND) or a Bachelor of Technology (BTech).
- Diploma: Certificate II.
We usually compare a Certificate II to an MBO diploma level 3, and sometimes to an MBO diploma level 4. This depends on the content of the study programme.
Want to know more?
Do you have questions about secondary vocational education in Ghana? Contact the SBB, the expertise centre for foreign qualifications and study programmes at VMBO and MBO level.