Choice of Fields of Study of Diploma Students in Kenya: a Case Study of the Technical University of Kenya

Abstract

Education and training plays an important role in economic development through its dimension of building the capacity of human capital. Through education and training people acquire a variety of knowledge, skills and attitudes which enable them to engage in productive economic activities. Despite numerous efforts by the Government of Kenya aimed at making education accessible and improving the quality of education, there still exists some challenges faced by tertiary educational institutions such as low student enrolment ,accompanied with a low enrolment of female students in Science and Engineering fields of study .This study aimed at finding out factors that influence choice of fields of study of Diploma students at the Technical University of Kenya and analyse whether the factors were different for male and female students. The sample size used for analysis comprised of 260 students randomly selected from three faculties; Applied Sciences, Engineering and Social Sciences. Descriptive statistics, Multinomial Logistic Regression and Likert Scale in analyzing the data. The empirical results showed that the factors varied across the faculties; with the most significant factors in the faculty of Applied Sciences being K.C.S.E grades (B and above) and family income while in the Faculty of Engineering, the factors identified were gender ( male) and grades B and above. This calls for the intervention educational policy makers in collaboration with relevant stakeholders to formulate policies that will encourage school leavers to enroll for Science and Engineering courses so as to avert shortage of middle-level skilled labour in all sectors of the economy to foster economic growth and development.