Factors influencing access rates to youth polytechnics, technical and vocational education and training in Teso north sub county, Busia county, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate the factors influencing access rates to youth polytechnics and technical and vocational education and training in Teso North sub County of Busia County. The specific objectives of the study were; To determine the extent to which over emphasis on academic subjects influence students access to TVET Institution in Teso North, to examine how historical perspective on TVET Influence students access to technical and vocational training and youth polytechnics in Teso North. To determine the influence of family economic background on students access to TVET institutions in Teso North. To examine how teacher qualification affect students access to TVET institutions in Teso North. The researcher adopted descriptive survey design. The target population computed of 3 polytechnic managers, 12 tutors and 64 trainees. Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies, pie charts and percentages. Qualification data generated from interviews schedules and open ended questions was organized and analysed into themes, categories and patterns pertinent to the objectives of the study. Inferential statistics such as correlation analysis was also used to determine the relationship by different variables. From the study funding 94.4% agreed on the fact that over-emphasis to academic subject affected access, 89.2% of the respondents supported that family economic background did affect access. The historical perspective about TVET also contributed to in access to TVET 97% and Tutor qualification too contributed to students’ access 77%.The researcher recommended that the ministry of education should configure the education system and give more emphasis to technical courses subsidies or make technical education free to allow those uncapable financially to join. Finally the government should do advocacy to demystify the historical perspective about TVET.