Institutional factors influencing trainees’ participation in technical training institutes in Kajiado county

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate institutional factors influencing trainees’ participation in Kajiado County. The study sought to establish the extent to which physical facilities, instructional materials, learning environment and teaching personnel influence trainees participation in technical training institutes in Kajiado County. Descriptive survey method was employed to conduct the research. The primary source of data was 102 trainees, 20 HODS and 4 principals. Simple random sampling was employed to select trainees’ while purposive sampling was employed to select HODS and Principals. Observation checklist and questionnaires were the main data gathering instruments while interview and document analysis were employed to enrich the data gathered through observation checklist and questionnaires. Data was analyzed using frequencies presented in tables, percentages, pie-charts and graphs. Qualitative data was incorporated in research findings on the basis of reviewed literature and field experiences. This was shown up subjectively in comments of the researcher. From the findings the study found out that most of the technical institutes had inadequate physical facilities and this affected trainees’ participation. The study also found that instructional materials were inadequate where training equipment and raw materials for practical training was a major problem thus leading to more theoretical training. In relation to learning environment, the study found out that it did not affect trainees’ participation much, while the study found out that technical training institutes lacked enough teaching personnel. The study concluded that inadequate physical facilities, instructional materials, shortage of teaching personnel and poor learning environment affect trainees’ participation. The study recommends for provision of adequate equipment/ facilities, instructional materials and adequate and qualified teaching personnel. The study further recommends for study to examine strategies on how to increase enrolment in technical training institutes. Additionally, a similar study be carried out in other Counties so as to compare with findings in this study and also a study to investigate how TTIs can be made affordable to a majority of students who come from economically poor backgrounds.