ENHANCING TECHNICAL EDUCATION LEARNING SPACES: DEVELOPMENT OF LABORATORY MODEL FOR TECHNICAL DRAFTING IN VOCATIONALSCHOOLS IN BATANGAS

Abstract

In today's rapidly evolving technological and industrial landscape, vocational education is undergoing a necessary transformation, with institutions worldwide recognizing the critical need to modernize curricula and training environments. This adaptation is especially crucial in technical education, where updated laboratory models, teaching facilities , and curricula aligned with current industry standards are vital for effectively preparing students with the competencies required to thrive in the modern labor market. This study assessed the current state of technical drafting learning spaces in vocational schools in Batangas, Philippines. Data were collected via surveys from 277 students and 8 instructors at Bauan National and Vocational Integrated High School, Bauan Technical Integrated High School, and Malvar National High school, using stratified random sampling. Findings indicated that while instructors had advanced qualifications and industry experience, both students and instructors perceived deficiencies in infrastructure , equipment, industry alignment, and instructional materials. Students' primary motivation was career prospects, yet they rated the curriculum's relevance to industry standards lower than instructors. The study concludes that there is a need to improve and modernize technical drafting learning  spaces to better align with industry standards, enhance students engagement, and bridge the perceptual gap between instructors and students. The development of a model laboratory is proposed to address these shortcomings.