The Emphasis of Occupational Health and Safety Into Technology and Vocational Education Pre-service Teachers Through Guided Discovery Approach

Abstract

<title>Abstract</title> The impetus of skills transformation lies in the quest for discovery, creativity and critical thinking skills. This study explores the effectiveness of guided discovery approach when training TVET pre-service teachers with special focus into Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) practice. Framed through a Guided Discovery approach, this study used qualitative research method where semi-structured interviews and non-participant observations were considered pertinent for data gathering; and thematic analysis was analysis strategy. The objecctives of this study was to find the effectiveness of Guided Discovery approach when teaching TVE pre-service teachers about OHS. This study discovered that Guided discovery assisted pre-service teachers to identify their deficiencies into practicalizing the concept of OHS. It was conceived that pre-service teachers were aware about practices they ought to enact during OHS lessons, but this was only through theoretical knowledge. Various factors that deprive pre-service teachers to practice safety were revealed which included shortage of personnel protective equipment and absence of emergency health and safety resources in their workplaces. This study recommends that lecturers implement didactical methods focusing into practical tasks that influence the pre-sevice teachers to practice safety in their workshop; and guide pre-service teachers to discover and learn safety skills than being always taught.