Factors hindering enrolment into technical and vocational educational and training for jua kali artisans through distance learning: the case of Nairobi County, Kenya

Abstract

Emphasis in most of the government's policy papers and strategies on education is on access and equity. However, the informal sector, in which the Jua kali artisans belong, has not been clearly incorporated into the Educational structure of Kenya. This study was keen on TVET programmes developed by KIE and certificated by KNEe in order to address access and training needs of Jua kali artisans. However such programmes do not apply for open and distance learning like they do in conventional education. The purpose of this study was to find out from the lecturers of public Technical Training Institutions the factors thai hinder enrolment of Jua kali artisans into TVET through ODL.

The findings of this study would be a source of information for policy makers on the adjustments that would need to be undertaken in order to provide TVET through open and distance learning mode. The objectives of the study were to determine the extent to which learner factors hinder enrolment of Jua kali artisans into TVET through ODL; establish the extent to which trainer factors hinder enrolment of Jua kali artisans into TVET through ODL; establish the extent to which institutional factors hinder enrolment of Jua kali artisans into TVET through ODL; determine the extent to which government factors hinder enrolment of Jua kali artisans into TVET through ODL.

Research was conducted through descriptive survey where data was collected through questionnaires. Respondents were selected through random sampling from amongst lecturers of science, engineering and technology courses in public TVET institutions in Nairobi County. Data was analyzed using tabulations and percentages. While the study established that learner factors intluence enrolment of the artisans into TVET programmes through ODL, trainer factors revealed incapacitation of trainers to handle TVET through ODL due to lack of skills for delivery. Institutional factors hindered enrollment into TVET through ODL due to lack of requisite structures. Government factors were equally found to hinder enrolment into TVET due to lack of appropriate policies.

The outcome of the study revealed that trainer and institutional factors had a great hindrance on enrolment of the artisans into TVET through ODL. The other two factors; learner and government were not so much a hindrance. Among the recommendations were the need to; identify Jua kali artisans and inform them that their challenges are not a barrier to their pursuance ofTVET training through ODL ;Restructure the curriculum to make it all inclusive; capacity build the lecturers and revise TVET teacher training programs to include ODL component. Three areas were suggested for a further study among which was the impact of value addition on Jua kali skills to the Kenyan economy