Gender Disparity In Choice Of Technical Industrial Vocational And Entrepreneurship Training Courses In Youth Polytechnics: A Case Of Kisii County, Kenya

Abstract

The significance of TIVET sector has been emphasised in different pre-colonial periods across the world when government in most countries pushed for vocational and technical education for the survival needs of their citizens. The government of Kenya has established youth polytechnics in every sub-county to encourage both female and male to join TIVET institutions. However, the government has not fully dealt with the problem of gender disparity in choice of TIVET courses. Therefore, this research sought to find out whether or not there exist gender disparities in the choice of TIVET courses in Kisii County’s youth polytechnics and whether or not the findings had an impact on the county’s development. The specific objectives of the study were to: establish the ratio of male to female students enrolled in the courses offered annually in TIVET institutions in Kisii County; analyze the reasons for male and female choice of the courses in TIVET institutions; investigate the rate of completion in the courses by male and female students and finally, find out the attitudes of the students (male and female) towards TIVET courses. This study was guided by Holland’s Career Choice Theory. The study utilized descriptive survey research design. The target population was 2,123 participants. The sample size comprised of 60% managers, 30% of the students and the county director of education. Purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used to obtain raw data, from selected these participants, which were collected by use of questionnaires with both open and closed ended questions. Questionnaires were administered to all student participants and interview schedule were used to interview the managers. The content validity index of the questionnaires and interview schedules were assessed and was found to be 0. 833. The reliability coefficient alpha of 0.802 was obtained implying that the research instruments were reliable. The study ensured ethical checks and balances through ethical considerations. The researcher ensured the respect, rights to privacy and to protection from physical and psychological harm of the participants involved in the study. The participants were given clear and sufficient background information on which to base their own decisions as to whether they would take part in the study or not. In this, study data were organized, presented, analyzed and interpreted using descriptive statistical techniques. The descriptive statistics that were used to summarise data include percentages, frequencies, tables and graphical presentation. This study collected and analysed both qualitative and quantitative data. The study established that 88.5% of the female students enrolled in garment making as compared to male students whereas 79.4% of students taking masonry as a course were male compared to female students. In finding out what influences male and female students’ choice of the courses in TIVET institutions in Kisii County, the study established that 55.5% of the male and 60.0% of the female students were enrolled due to presence of role models in course of choice in the youth polytechnics. The study further established that the completion rates in the courses per gender were 35.8% in most of the courses. In some courses, students do not complete at all meaning that they either keep on repeating in the course or drop out. Finally, the finding on the attitudes of students (male and female) towards TIVET courses in youth polytechnics in Kisii County, it was established that 55.5% of the male and 41.3% of the females had developed an attitude that certain courses were meant for a particular gender hence are not willing to enroll in them. The study concluded that students tend to enroll in courses where they have role models. This consequently brought about the gender disparity in the TVET courses offered in the YPs. Based on the findings of this study, it was recommended that the management of the youth polytechnics in Kisii County should strive to have an equal ratio of male to female in the respective courses offered. The management of the youth polytechnics should establish what influences the choice of the courses and enable them come up with the possible mechanisms of encouraging the potential students.