Professor Joy Papier
KEYNOTE: From policy symbolism to evidence-informed policymaking - VET research on the rise in the South
Keynote Abstract: The symbolism of early policy making in post-apartheid South Africa has been critiqued as idealism at best and political opportunism at worst. With the benefit of hindsight some policies have been argued to be too hastily conceived, even ill-conceived, with insufficient thought given to implementation and possible unintended consequences. But the new democratic government which assumed power in 1994 faced a daunting task of reconstruction and transformation that initiated a rush of policymaking in all spheres, no less so in education. For vocational education, the almost invisible, poorly understood step-child of the education and training system, policies emanated thick and fast from a succession of four education ministers in 20 years. Notwithstanding the pressure that transformative efforts placed on already fragile systems, this paper holds that for the vast majority emerging from decades of unjust rule, policies had to show bold intent to address inequities. Using a personal narrative methodology, the author shares her experiences of the evolving policy environment in TVET, both as a new citizen filled with hope for the future, and an active participant in the policy chain. From a period characterized by symbolism, and in spite of lingering skepticism about policies’ intent, efficacy, and relationship to practice, inter alia, there are signs that the role of research in policymaking is being embraced, and that TVET research in particular is coming into its own. It is time that a new cadre of home-grown experts take TVET on the African continent into the global future.
Slides from JVET Conference 2021
Questions to Professor Joy Papier at JVET Conference 2021
About Joy Papier: Professor Joy Papier is director of the Institute for Post-School Studies (IPSS) at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) in Cape Town, South Africa. The Institute undertakes training and development of Adult educators and TVET college lecturers, post-schooling research and policy analysis.
Joy has been active in education, policy and development for about 25 years. Her current research interests include TVET teacher education, TVET policy and development, vocational curricula policy, workplace and institutional cultures, youth unemployment, and education opportunities for youth and adults. She holds the South African National Research Chair in TVET studies and is editor-in-chief of the Journal of Vocational, Adult and Continuing Education and Training (JOVACET) established in 2017.
