A return to pre-pandemic teaching and learning in colleges around the world is unlikely, says the Association of Colleges.
A new report, entitled How are vocational institutions innovating, evolving and changing as result of Covid-19? and published by the British Council and the Association of Colleges, says just 6 per cent of global technical and vocational education institutions will maintain pure face-to-face teaching delivery.
It also says that nine in 10 have had to change their institutional policies since the onset of Covid-19, and just under half have made changes to their assessment methods for the future.
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Emma Meredith, international director at the Association of Colleges, said: “The presence of Covid-19 across the world has brought immense challenges but also innovation within education and training. The move to remote learning and shift in practices has allowed institutions to experiment and evolve and to raise the profile of TVET [technical and vocational education and training] both locally and nationally. Policymakers and practitioners should incorporate the recommendations set out in this report in their recovery programmes and long-term strategy for TVET.”
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The report is based on research across five countries (Ghana, India, Malaysia, South Africa and the UK) and sets out key observations for digital transformation, curriculum development and work-based learning.
It says change initially implemented as an emergency response to lockdowns and campus closures has generated efficient and sustainable practices, and says policymakers and practitioners should solidify temporary changes into more permanent policy in areas such as blended learning and the upskilling of teaching staff.
Dr Rossi Vogler, senior consultant skills systems at the British Council, said: “The British Council is pleased to present its latest research findings to policymakers and practitioners to support the TVET reform in the aftermath of Covid-19 and to encourage international collaboration.
“The report gives encouraging indications that emerging innovation can contribute to reinvigorating TVET and contribute to a more resilient skills sector in the future, a sector so crucial for the post-pandemic recovery and for economic prosperity and social inclusion more generally.”
