Cannibalization of Vacational and Technical Education Through Career Counselling at Secondary School Level

Abstract

ABSTRACT Vocational and Technical Education forms a very key foundation in enabling a nation to achieve MDG and SD. Kenya as a country highly depends on technical skills to achieve The Vision 2030 and Sustainable Development Goals. This can only happen through proper and realistic career counseling information provided by the counseling teachers at secondary school level. According to KCSE results released every year, majority of the candidates score between grade C and D which are the requirement for entrance at Diploma and Craft level. However, there has been a missing link between the nature of careers counseling services offered at secondary school level due to expectations that majority will join trainings at university levels thus ignoring students who are not higher performers. The objective behind this study was to investigate the challenges faced by students in acquiring technical and vocational education by establishing the level of career information with the student; the subject choice at secondary school, establishing the nature of counseling offered and investigating the challenges encountered in acquiring admissions in vocational and technical training institutes. Various career theories and models that guide career choices formed foundation for the study. The study assumed a descriptive design where qualitative and quantitative data was collected through questionnaires and interview. The target population included form four leavers who scored grades D and C. Findings revealed that most respondents had no career information on vocational and technical education in Kenya.