THE CHALLENGES AFFECTING THE IMPLEMETATION OF THE TECHNICAL CURRICULUM IN PUBLIC TVET INSTITUTIONS IN KENYA: THE CASE OF NANDI AND UASIN GISHU COUNTIES, KENYA.

Abstract

Technical Vocational Education and Training importance in social and economic development cannot be gainsaid. Investing in Technical education is a potent means that could be explored to fast-track technological progress, economic growth and boosting citizens’ capacities. The main purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of the challenges that affected the implementation of the technical curriculum of TVET programs in TVET institutions. This was to improve on the quality of the programs offered in the TVET institutions thus making the graduates marketable and in tandem with the industrial needs. This research adopted a descriptive research design. The study targeted all technical teachers and graduating students in engineering departments of public technical training institutions in Uasin Gishu and Nandi County. The study sampled 136 technical teachers and 276 technical students from two technical institutions in Uasin Gishu and Nandi Counties. Questionnaires were content and face validated and reliability was determined using Cronbach’s alpha. Data from the questionnaires were analyzed using descriptive statistics and will be presented in tables of mean, standard deviations skewness and kurtosis. The study established that student’s poor reading culture, student’s peer group, learners’ irregular attendance to class, lecturers’ competence among other factors, had a high influence on the implementation of the technical curriculum. The study recommends adequate provision of instructional materials, adequate internal and external supervision, adequate provision of required TVET infrastructures and facilities and enhancement of the Public private partnership. A further research needs to be carried out to establish how the stakeholders who are the major beneficiaries can participate effectively in the implementation of TVET programs.