Factors influencing enrollment of female students in science oriented courses in technical training institutions in Bungoma County: Kenya
Abstract
The composition of female studies has been growing all over the world. The trend
seems to indicate that female students prefer some courses over others. Female students
who enroll in postgraduate courses do so for a number of reasons which range from the
desire for high income or better employment, empowerment for decision reasons and
other social cultural factors. This trend is also typical in Technical training institutions.
The purpose of the study was to investigate the factors that influence female students
enrolment in science oriented courses in technical institutions in Bungoma County. The
study was guided by the following objectives; the influence of outcomes expectations on
female student course enrollment in science oriented courses, the extent to which female
student attitudes influence their enrollment in science oriented courses, to ascertain how
socio-economic factors influence enrollment of female students in science oriented
courses and lastly the extent to which instructional materials available influence
enrollment of female students in science oriented courses in technical training institutions
in Bungoma County. The researcher employed descriptive survey design while
undertaking the study. The target population for the study was 160 students in first year
taking science oriented courses in three technical training institutions in Bungoma
County, three registrars and the technical education officer making a total of
164respondents. The sample size was 113first year’s female students taking sciences
oriented courses in the three technical training institutes selected using krejcie and
morgan (1970) table of determining sample size for research activities and three registrars
and the technical education officer making a total of 117 respondents. The research used
Students’ Questionnaire (SQ), Deans Questionnaire (DQ) and technical education
officers Questionnaire as data collection instruments. Validity and reliability of the
research instruments was tested prior to actual collection of data. Data was analyzed
using descriptive statistics and presented using APA tables formats. The findings show
that majority of respondents revealed that they were influenced by future salaries
expectations. The bulk of students were strongly influenced by identity expectations in
future while choosing to enroll in science-oriented course in TTI and lastly the
respondents also cited that employment chances in future influenced their enrollment in
science-oriented courses. The findings also shows that majority of the respondents were
not influenced by career counselors at KCSE level to enroll in science oriented courses. It
can be summarized that majority of respondents cited that they were not influenced by
gender stereotype while enrolling into science oriented courses. Majority of respondents
indicated that global technological advancements had no influence to their enrollment in
science-oriented courses. It can be deduced that the bulk of respondents were influenced
by other family members to enroll in science based courses. The findings also shows that
majority of respondents indicated that they were not influenced by SET government
bursary to enroll into science oriented courses and lastly it can be deduced that the bulk
of respondents revealed that they enrolled into science-oriented courses due to available
science, engineering and technology workshops. It can also be deduced that the bulk of
respondents indicated that they were greatly influenced by past performance of the
science departments to enroll into science-oriented courses. The findings also shows that
majority of the respondents were not influenced by the registrars of students into
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enrolling in science oriented courses in TTI in Bungoma County. The study recommends
that female students should be encouraged to enroll into science oriented courses as their
male counter parts. The study also recommends that female students should be assisted to
develop positive attitudes towards science oriented courses from early stages of learning.
The study also recommends that college administration and other education stakeholders
should provide SET bursary information to female students to enable in enroll in science
oriented courses.
Citation
Wataka,J.S.,2013.Factors Influencing Enrollment Of Female Students In Science Oriented Courses In Technical Training Institutions In Bungoma County: Kenya.Publisher
University of Nairobi College of Education and External Studies
Collections
- Faculty of Education (FEd) [5962]