ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at the historical context of risks and uncertainties in education in the continent, and analyses the nature of risks and uncertainties that were part of Vocational and Technical Education (VTE) in the period and shows how these still influence the present day system. It then explores the elements in its management, both external and internal, that expose the system to risks and uncertainties. African countries have recognised the importance of VTE in their development endeavours. African countries have many ambitious curriculum reform plans, but implementation has remained the critical issue, at all levels, thus opening a floodgate of challenges and problems, which are underlined with numerous risks and uncertainties. One obvious constraint on VTE programmes in most African countries, which makes them uncertain and even risky to pursue, is the fact that they do not guarantee smooth access to higher education.
