Factors influencing development of youth polytechnics in Homa bay county

Abstract

This study sought to establish factors influencing development of youth polytechnics in Homa Bay County. The objectives of the study was to evaluate the extent to which funding influences development of youth polytechnics in Homa Bay County; to examine the influence of capacity of instructors on development of youth polytechnics in Homa Bay County; to evaluate the influence of culture and modern technology on development of youth polytechnics in Homa Bay County. This research project was limited by fluctuating weather conditions which made it difficult to access the respondents and unwillingness of some respondents in giving information. The study assumed that respondents gave accurate information and the final sample selected truly reflects the major characteristics of the target population. A descriptive research design was adopted for this study. Questionnaire was used to obtain important information about the population. The target population was 1064 which is the total number of 171 instructors, 133 board of management members, 76 support officers and 684 learners in 19 vocational training institutions in the county. The researcher used a sample of 319 which was 30% of the total population. Both quantitative and qualitative techniques were used to analyze the data with the aid of statistical package for social scientist (SPSS).The data was presented using frequency distribution tables. The study established that funding, instructors’ capacity, culture and modern technology have significant influence on the development of youth polytechnics in Homa Bay County. The study concludes that funding, instructors’ capacity, culture and modern technology are factors influencing development of youth polytechnics in Homa Bay County. It recommends that educational stakeholders in the youth polytechnics in Kenya and particularly Homa Bay County should formulate policies that would ensure more funds are aggressively mobilized to expand more opportunities for trainees; regular training of instructors’ be emphasized; central government formulate policies that would be favorable to the development of vocational institutions and other development partners working in education sector and other donors to adopt measures for developing youth polytechnics. The study suggests four areas for further research.