TVET and Economic Development in Cameroon: Lessons from China

Abstract

Several existing studies have proved the strong impact of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) on the economic development of a country. The success of the economy in many countries including China has been attributed to the ability to link TVET with the national economic development strategies. In these countries, TVET is considered pivotal for solving national challenges towards sustainable development, thus attracting more emphasis on its effective coordination. In Cameroon, TVET is characterized by lack of funding and inefficient management system, which have resulted the skills deficiency and mismatch between qualification provided and the labor market demand: key constituents of the low productivity and economic stagnation in the country. Using the document analysis method and field visitations as well as interview, this study examines the impact of TVET on the economic development in Cameroon, exploring the state and structure, challenges and implementation of TVET, taking references from China’s successful experience in knowledge and skills development through TVET in the past decades. Recommendations are made on how China’s successful experience in the area of funding, linkage of TVET with industries and provision of incentives to make TVET attractive to students can be lessons for Cameroon in her quest for sustainable development.

Keywords: TVET, sustainable development, Cameroon, China