Vocational Education as a Career Pathway for Students with Learning Disabilities: Issues and Obstacles in the Implementation

Abstract

The special vocational education curriculum is an alternative curriculum to provide fresh opportunities for students with special needs. Hence, this study was done to explore the issues and challenges of vocational education for students with learning disabilities towards their career preparation. This study used a qualitative approach with case study design. Data were collected using interviews involving six vocational teachers from six Special Education Program Integration with Learning Disabilities (SEPILD).The data is analyzed using Atlas.ti 7.5.2 software. The results showed that there are three major challenges, namely the difficulty in implementing teaching and learning in vocational education curriculum, in collaboration challenges and challenges in the provision of career experience for students. It is hoped that this study will identify problems in the implementation of vocational education for students with learning disabilities to be in line with their abilities and meet the needs of employers.