Publication: Causes of High Ratio of Learners Selecting Business Studies Compared To Agriculture in Garissa County Secondary Schools
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2015
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Mount Kenya University
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Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of these high variations of choice between
Business Studies and Agriculture subject and hence give appropriate recommendations to curb
the situation. The objectives of the study were, to establish the contribution by learners and their
peers towards the disparity in the choice of the two subjects, to determine the teachers’ and
Principals participation in the huge disparity in choice of Business Studies and Agriculture
subjects among the students in Garissa County Secondary Schools, to find out whether the
family, community and socio-cultural factors of learners influence the disparity in selection of
Business Studies and Agriculture subjects among the students and to determine the level of
awareness and the measures undertaken by the School administration and immediate Garissa
County education administration to improve on the disparity. The researcher associates his work
based on three theories; Functionalism theory, Emile Dhurkeim(1858-1917) who recognized
different societal parts being major contributors for the society to act as one, the Action theory
(Talcott Persons) recognizes the major social function of Education to transmit society’s views,
the theory of natural selection (Herbert Spenser (1820-1903) also recognizes for the various
systems of institutions to work as one just like the various systems of the body work towards a
common goal. The research design used was descriptive and naturalistic having used both
qualitative and quantitative approaches. The research was done in Garissa County. Five schools
were sampled which had a fair representation, being a girls boarding, Boys boarding, Mixed day
and two other private schools. Form three students were mainly used since these have just done
subject selection and therefore could provide the relevant information required. The population
being varied and large stratified sampling technique; simple random sampling and purposive
sampling approaches were used. The study was descriptive in nature and used both quantitative
and qualitative approaches. Questionnaires and interviews were used to gather information from
the respondents. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and presented in pie
charts tables and graphs while qualitative data was reorganized from the questionnaires and put
down in tabula forms, indexed where necessary and then analyzed. The researcher finds that
there is lack of proper guidance and counseling, prejudice, inadequate Educational
Administrational Systems, ignorance and reliance on unorthodox cultural practices, poor
implementation of plans and weak Carrier Guidance and Counseling Programs. The Researcher
recommends stakeholders to equip schools with Green houses and extra budget for irrigation to
encourage learning of Agriculture, the Ministry of Education (M.O.E) in consultation with the
School Administrators to set policies on the minimum and maximum number of learners that
should do a subject with regard to future available opportunities and government development
focus points, the C.E.A to be thorough in educational data analysis more so data on overall
C.E.S.C.L and data on National available Productive Exploitive Career Opportunities and also
for the Ministry of Education to introduce a subject that cuts across the two subject’s i.e.
Agribusiness. It is my prayer that the outcome of this research and the implementation of the
recommendations will greatly improve the learner’s future opportunities.
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Bachelor of Education