Organisation and functioning of Basic Vocational Training schools

Abstract

INTRODUCTION. The organisation and functioning of basic Vocational Training schools are determining elements in the achievement of the objectives of these programmes. In the Basque Country’s province of Gipuzkoa, the Basic Vocational Training programmes depend on the municipalities and communities, not-for-profit organisations and Secondary Education institutes. Therefore, there is a diversity of schools and organisational configurations which can give rise to different models of investigation. The objective of this study is to analyse the functioning of the Basic Vocational Training schools of Gipuzkoa in the organisational, curricular and educational guidance fields. METHOD. In order to compile information about the dimensions of the study, a questionnaire was prepared which was answered by the teaching staff of these programmes. The main dimensions of this questionnaire are the following: general data, support received from the different administrations, school project, curricular area, educational guidance and teaching satisfaction. RESULTS. The functioning of Basic Vocational Training schools is related to professional teaching satisfaction together with the level of achievement of the objectives of the educational institution and the tutorials carried out in class and the performance of the students. Schools that depend on the local government participate to a greater extent in the activities of the Municipal Education Board and with social and cultural associations in the municipality and the level of achievement of the school’s objectives are greater than in those overseen by the government of the Autonomous Community. DISCUSSION. In addition to a training resource, Basic Vocational Training schools must foster participation and interaction among community institutions to provide a response to the varied and complex training needs of a numerous group of students at risk of educational and social exclusion.