ISSUES AND CHALLENGES OF VOCATIONAL TRAINING FOR PERSONS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS IN ADULT EDUCATION CENTRES IN ZAMFARA STATE

Abstract

Vocational training centres are consistently increasing within the urban and rural places to cater for the needs of adults with special needs living idle. Yet, this unhindered proliferation of the centres is not commensurate with the adult skills acquisition in overcoming unemployment in Nigeria. The paper applied survey method of research using 600 sampled out of 1,800 entire population of the trainees, from six local government areas (LGAs) in Zamfara west zone. Each LGA trained 300 persons with special needs. 600 questionnaires were purposively distributed to the apprentices. Although, 540 questionnaires were duly filled and returned. The paper found that Zamfara state Youths (persons with disabilities) lost proper direction in handling the materials (apparatus) given to them due to the lack of monitoring from the government. The results revealed that 408 (75.6%) of the apprentices (persons with special needs) embezzled and sold away the apparatus largesse to them after graduation from apprenticeship. From the result therefore, the paper concluded that the aim of government to create job opportunity is threatened by the ineptitude of the youths. It is therefore recommended that government at all levels should ensure effective monitoring mechanisms meant for transparency and the judicious use of the apparatus offered to the youth (persons with special needs) after graduation.