Influence of Institutional Factors on Students’ Participation Rates in Public Technical Training Institutes in Trans-nzoia County, Kenya

Abstract

This study sought to investigate the influence of institutional factors on students’ participation rates in public technical training institutes in Trans Nzoia County, Kenya. The specific objectives of the study included: to determine how availability and adequacy of physical facilities influences the students’ participation rates in TTIs; to determine how government funding and quality control influences the students’ participation rates in TTIs; to establish how adequacy of qualified trainers influences students’ participation rates in TTIs; and to investigate how corporate support influences the students’ participation rates in TTIs. This study used a descriptive survey research design. Simple random sampling was used to select 181 students and 20 trainers from a population of 1208 students and 68 trainers in Kiminini, Cherangany, and Endebess TTIs. All principals from the 3 TTIs participated in the study. Interviews were conducted with the principals and questionnaires were administered to students and trainees. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used for quantitative data analysis. Qualitative data were analysed using content analysis. The study established that institutional factors account for 77.9% variation in students’ participation in technical training institutes. Results of the coefficient of determination revealed that institutional factors have a positive and significant effect on students’ participation in TTIs. Increasing the availability of physical facilities in TTIs increases students’ participation rates in TTIs by 0.555 units (β1=0.555; p=0.000<0.05). Increasing government funding and quality control to TTIs increases students' participation rates in TTIs by 0.829 units (β2=0.829; p=0.000<0.05). Increasing adequacy of qualified technical trainers in TTIs increases students' participation rates in TTIs by 0.310 units (β3=0.310; p=0.000<0.05). Increasing corporate support to TTIs increases students' participation rates in TTIs by 0.687 units (β4=0.687; p=0.000<0.05). The influence of institutional factors on students’ participation rates in TTIs is statistically significant as the p-values are less than the significance level of 0.05. The study found out that TTIs in Trans Nzoia County have had a steady increase in the number of students enrolling in the institutions from 2019-2023. Even though the TTIs have workshops that are equipped with modern equipment and machines that are in excellent condition; classrooms that are well furnished; and ICT facilities, 33.3% do not have laboratories and none of the TTIs have libraries. These facilities are insufficient as the institutions have had an influx of students without a corresponding increase in facilities. This study also found out that the government funds students in TTIs through the provision of a capitation of KSH.30000 for each student, HELB loan, and bursaries. It has also put in place measures to enhance the quality of training in TTIs. However, the disbursement of capitation is sometimes delayed, and a lesser amount is disbursed. Whereas trainers in TTIs in Trans Nzoia County have professional training in their field of specialization, 68.4% are not skilled in pedagogy and the TTIs have a shortage of 15 trainers in various courses. Corporates have not provided any support for technical training. Therefore this study recommends that both national and county governments provide funds for the construction of facilities that are lacking or insufficient and equip the institutions with sufficient equipment and machinery; the government consistently disburses capitation for all students on time; the State Department of Technical and Vocational training facilitates recruitment of trainers in courses that have shortages and ensure all trainers are trained in pedagogy. Corporates should also provide attachment/internships to students, and support TTIs through a donation of equipment and machinery and fund the construction of physical facilities.