EU supports vocational and technical training at distance

08.03.2021

Due to the covid-19 pandemic and the deteriorating economic situation in Lebanon, technical schools were closed for most of 2020. This trend could persist in 2021 and affect the quality of learning of hundreds of students enrolled in the technical and vocational education and training system. In this challenging context, the EU funded project “Technical Assistance for a more practice oriented VTE in Lebanon” - ProVTE, implemented by GIZ, ensures that students of the technical baccalaureate (BT) Bâtiment et Travaux Publics stay engaged in education through distance learning. To this end, in cooperation with the General Directorate of Vocational and Technical Education (DGVTE), ProVTE supports the process of implementing remotely, the technical theoretical subjects included in the programme to prevent the students from missing out. 

Adjusting to the new way of teaching

ProVTE has conducted trainings of trainers for 12 teachers from different public  vocational schools in different regions across Lebanon. Over a period of two weeks, teachers got trained on developing subjects such as: “Peinture”, “Résistance des Matériaux”, “Equipements Sanitaires” in distance learning modality using the authoring software Articulate Rise 360. A modern, dynamic e-learning authoring tool with the latest web technologies has been introduced for the first time in the Lebanese vocational and technical education. It allows teachers to check students’ knowledge and learning progress through quizzes.

Seven female teachers participated actively in the training of trainers, showing creativity, dedication, and competence, and demonstrating that the construction sector is not only for men.

Positive impact of the distance learning approach

Until today, thanks to EU assistance, developers have prepared 36 distance learning lessons in Arabic and French to allow students continue their education despite the lockdown. Within the next 2 months, up to 410 distance learning lessons will be uploaded on the Moodle Learning Management System, which up to 500 vocational students from all over Lebanon and their teachers will access from home. To allow equal access for everyone, 500 computer tablets, funded by Mercy Corps, will be distributed to the students, with a 5 GB monthly data bundle for each, funded by the EU.

This experience taught me new skills which will help us, as teachers, overcome the challenges we faced last year in engaging our students in distance learning, by making our lessons more interactive and interesting for them, said Marianne Bou Haroun, a teacher from Zgharta Technical Institute.

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The trainings of trainers proved to be a successful experience for teachers in a country where systematic further trainings for teachers do not exist. Aside from gaining new competences as instructional designers, they were proud to take part in an innovative teaching initiative that aims to improve distance education in the Lebanese vocational and technical education.

Students of “Bâtiment et Travaux Publics” will have the chance to overcome the challenges and adapt to the new learning modality imposed on them. This initiative will enable them to stay engaged in learning through the interactive and modern courses.