FACTORS INFLUENCING TRAINEES’ COMPLETION RATE IN PUBLIC VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTRES IN KENYA: FOCUS ON NATIONAL VOCATIONAL CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING CURRICULUM

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to investigate the factors that influenced completion rate of trainees in Vocational Training Centres (VTCs) in Kenya. In order to achieve the main objective of the study, four specific objectives were addressed: firstly, to determine the influence of trainee-based factors on trainees’ completion rate in VTCs, secondly, to explore the influence of family-based factors on trainees’ completion rate in Vocational Training Centres, thirdly, to examine the influence of institution-based factors on trainees’ completion rate in Vocational Training Centres, and fourthly, to establish community-based factors that influenced trainees’ completion rate in Vocational Training Centres. This study was guided by the Theory of Student Departure, advanced by Tinto in 1993 (Long, 2012). The study was conducted in four counties namely: Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, Nandi and Kakamega. In Baringo, data was collected from Mogotio VTC; in Elgeyo Marakwet, from Iten VTC; in Nandi, from Mugen VTC and in Kakamega, from Lugala and Mautuma VTCs. The five sites were selected because they had implemented the NVCET curriculum and were also Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) centres. The four counties were selected with an aim of getting a larger and a more representative sample for this study. This study adopted explanatory sequential mixed methods design. Data was collected using two sets of questionnaires and interview schedules. Survey data was collected first from 37 purposively selected instructors, 170 simple randomly selected second year, 9 purposively selected third year, and 3 conveniently selected 4th year trainees. Interviews were organized with the four County Directors of Youth Training and five Vocational Training Centre Managers who were purposively selected to participate in the study since they were expected to possess valuable information for this study due to their respective positions. Structured observation and document analysis was also used to enrich data collection. Quantitative data was analyzed descriptively and presented using frequency, percentage and mean distribution tables. Scatter graphs were also used. The responses from the interview schedule, observation checklist and open-ended questions in the questionnaire were qualitatively analyzed. The findings of this study revealed that early pregnancies and marriages, cases of indiscipline such as drug abuse, low entry qualification of trainees, trainee finding employment in the course of study, destabilized family structures, and low family status in terms of income, education and occupation of parents greatly influenced trainee low completion rates. Other factors that influenced trainee low completion rates include; inadequate teaching and learning resources, inadequate and unqualified instructors, too demanding NVCET curriculum which also lacked certification, inadequate handling of guidance and counseling issues, negative attitude of the community towards VTCs and few role models. Based on these findings, the study recommends the following; firstly, VTCs in collaboration with the parents should enhance guidance and counseling programs, and develop linkage with industry and higher TVET institutions, secondly, the National government, the County governments and VTCs should provide more funding to VTCs for fees, employment of additional instructors, development of instructional materials and infrastructure, and building capacity of its Boards of Management, thirdly, the National government should urgently review the NVCET curriculum, and fourthly, the communities should be sensitized on the need to support VTCs and also on their benefits to trainees.