Why Students Choose Vocational Schools: The Formation of Intention for Further Education among China’s Junior High School Students

Abstract

With the adoption of China's reforms and opening-up efforts, developing vocational schools came to be recognized as a priority. However, current vocational school graduates often suffer not only from a lack of further education but also from a deteriorating employment environment. Owing to the above problems, the social perception that vocational education is equivalent to second-rate education has taken root.

Although previous studies have assumed that enrolling in vocational schools was treated as a "last choice," it remains possible that students choose vocational schools for factors other than these negative reasons. With this in mind, this paper examines Chinese junior high school students' intention formation processes concerning further education.

The results suggested that students choose vocational schools because it is desirable for those who cannot adapt to the orthodox culture of other schools and who wish to find a job sooner, rather than to continue studying. We also propose that vocational schools are never just "social vessels" that accept failing students, as has been previously suggested. On the contrary, these schools can serve as the place where students who are resistant to general education and school culture can make the most of their opportunities.