THE IMPACT OF AGRICULTURAL INSTRUCTION UPON ATTITUDES AND VOCATIONAL PREFERENCES OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN KENYA

Abstract

The purpose of this study was two -fold: to determine the extent of attitude change among secondary school students in Kenya following a course of instruction in the principles and practices of agriculture, and the extent to which students who select agriculture as avocation evidence interest in agricultural related activities. Data were collected from among seven schools participating in a contract between the Government of Kenya and the United States Agency for International Development through which a four-year program of agricultural education had been initiated in the secondary school system. Data were also taken in a control school which did not offer agriculture. Two instruments, an attitude inventory and avocational preference scale, were used in collecting the data from the total population participating in the program. The data were then analyzed by a t-test of significance between the four levels in the total contract schools and the form levels of the total contract schools compared with a school control.