Date of Award
2015
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Master of Science in Maritime Affairs
Specialization
Maritime Education & Training
Campus
Malmö, Sweden
Country
Jamaica
First Advisor
Manuel, Michael Ekow.
Abstract
The relevance of MET at the secondary level has been found to be necessary to increase awareness as well as to mitigate the trends and challenges influenced by the philosophical and sociological changes experienced in society and the Maritime Industry. Firstly, this study examines the purpose of secondary education, the secondary curriculum; factors that may require MET at the secondary level as well as the effectiveness of early awareness of maritime concepts to youth ages 11-18 years. Secondly, a mixed method approach was applied in collecting and analysing data through survey and interviews. Considering the objectives of the study the purposive sampling and random survey method was utilised to get a wide cross section of participants to be able to answer the five research questions. Thirdly, the findings reveal that the relevance of MET at the secondary level is weighted by geographical, economical as well as the country’s interest in the industry, as well as to bring awareness and for career opportunities. The findings established that stakeholders in some cases lack awareness of the industry and therefore do not promulgate policies for implementing MET at the secondary level. Further, the literature has noted the lack of concentrated effort in promoting the industry to the youth. As such, there is a need for paradigm shift in the education system to reform the secondary curriculum to make it relevant to society in terms of exposure to the maritime industry.