CAUSES OF LOW ENROLMENT OF FEMALE STUDENTS IN MECHANICAL TECHNOLOGY COURSES IN YOUTH POLYTECHNICS IN KENYA: THE CASE OF NYAMIRA COUNTY

Abstract

One of the urgent priorities of the Education for All goals is to ensure access and improved quality of education for girls and women, and to remove every obstacle that hinders their active participation. With the current influx change in technology which is driven by global economy, human resource in both gender trained in science and technological oriented fields is of great need. Kenya government has made efforts and international donors to increase women participation in mechanical technology. However, still there is gender disparity in mechanical technology. Because of this a pool of female professionals especially in mechanical technology in a developing country will provide positive role models and result in reducing the gender disparity in mechanical technology. This study sought to investigate the causes of low enrolment of female students in mechanical technology courses in Youth Polytechnics in Kenya; the case of Nyamira County. The main objectives of the study were to investigate culture, physical facilities for teaching, shortage of female role models and parental influence on low enrolment of female students in mechanical technology courses in the Youth Polytechnics (YPs). The study also sought to establish possible solutions, which should be put into place to promote enrolment of female students in mechanical technology courses. The study targeted population comprised of four public YPs in Nyamira County. Stratified sampling method was used to select instructors, managers and students. The study used observations, interviews and questioners for collecting data. Analysis of data was done using descriptive statistical techniques with the aid of statistical package for social sciences (SPSS). The study found out that indeed culture, physical facilities for teaching, shortage of female role models and parental influence, influenced low enrolment of female students in mechanical technology courses in YPs in Nyamira County. The study recommends that the community should accept to eliminate cultural beliefs and practices which hinder the participation of female students in mechanical technology field. Department youth affairs and sports through mechanical industries should encourage employment female graduates of mechanical technology. Managers in youth polytechnics should invite successful women role models to mentor female students to join mechanical technology courses.