Influence of Tvet Centres and Non-centres of Excellence on Students’ Performance at National Examination in Nairobi County, Kenya.

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate the influence of Technical and Vocational Education and Training centres and non-centres of excellence on students‟ performance at national examination in Nairobi County; Kenya, in the last three years. The study was guided by three research objectives; to establish the influence of facilities on students‟ performance at national examinations, to establish the influence of the competence of instructors on students‟ performance at national examinations and to establish the influence of students‟ entry characteristics on students‟ performance at national examinations. The related literature from different scholars revealed that there existed a significant relationship between students‟ entry characteristics, instructor competence and quality of facilities in learning institution that promoted performance of students in examination. The study used descriptive survey research design in gathering information, summarizing and interpreting it. The target population included three public TVET institutions in Nairobi County and two institutions from Kiambu for comparative purpose. Purposive sampling was used to sample the study respondents based on their distribution in Centres of Excellence and Non-centres of Excellence. The five principals in the institutions participated in the study. Also, fifteen instructors and thirty third year students who were considered to have adequate information required by the study equally distributed CoEs and non-CoEs respectively. The research instruments used were questionnaires. The data collected was analysed by use of descriptive statistics of percentages and frequencies. Data was presented using frequency table. From the study, it was established that facilities in TVET institution were available but not adequate, the instructors were competent as the majority held diploma and above in their areas of specialization but were limited in refresher courses and the entry requirement to most courses as directed by the Ministry of Education Science and technology was C- to most courses. The study concluded that the centres of excellence were fairly equipped with facilities and this facilitated the performance in the CoEs than in the non-CoEs. Also the study concluded that the instructors in the CoEs were competent enough as the 50 percent and above held diploma and in non CoEs other instructors did not show their qualifications. The study established that students were admitted to TVET diploma courses had C- and those to certificate courses had D+ as stipulated by MoEST. This also greatly influenced students‟ performance at national examination. The research recommended that the government improve the facilities in the non-CoEs and equip the laboratory, workshops and libraries to enhance students‟ performance. In addition, the instructors be encouraged to attend refresher courses to update and upgrade their knowledge and skills and as well the administrators of the institutions to strictly adhere to the stipulated entry requirement when admitting students to various courses. The study suggested that similar study be done to establish the role of TVET centres of excellence on human resource development besides students‟ performance.