Influence of selected school related and student related factors on the choice of agriculture subject among secondary school students in Uriri Sub-County, Kenya

Abstract

Choice of subjects of study in secondary schools happens globally, more so in the developing countries. In Kenya, the Ministry of Education (MOE) requires that secondary school students register for a minimum of seven and a maximum of nine subjects when they join Form Three. These subjects are grouped into various categories including; Sciences, Languages, Humanities, Technical and Foreign languages. Agriculture is among the many technical subjects from which students select only one. In the recent past, the number of students taking Agriculture has recorded an increase. Due to the key role of Agriculture in the Kenyan economy, it is needful to determine the factors that have led to this upward trend, with a view to contributing to their enhancement. Few studies have sought to study the influence of these factors in Uriri Sub-county. The study therefore sought to determine the influence of selected school related and student related factors on the choice of Agriculture subject among secondary school students in Uriri Sub-county. The study employed ex-post facto research design. The target population was 262 Form Three students who had chosen Agriculture subject in Uriri Sub County. Proportionate stratified random sampling was used to select 152 Agriculture students. A questionnaire with closed ended items was used to collect data. It was given to two experts from the Department of Agricultural Education and Extension, Egerton University to achieve validity. Data collection was preceded by a pilot test with 16 respondents at Suneka Secondary School, Kisii County, whose analysis resulted in a reliability coefficient of 0.78. Data was analysed using SPSS version 22 and presented using frequencies, percentages and means. Inferential statistics (chi-square) was used test hypotheses at 0.05α. The study found out that there is sufficient subject choice information in schools. Career awareness and involvement in peer group activities were found not to have statistically significant influence on the choice of Agriculture subject whereas teaching methods and student’s interest were found to have statistically significant influence on the choice of Agriculture. The study recommended that Agriculture teachers use teaching methods that motivate students and that the Young Farmer Clubs be emphasised in teaching of Agriculture.