Institutional Structures and their Effects on Skills Development in Youth Polytechnics in Murang’a, Kirinyaga and Nairobi City Counties, Kenya.

Abstract

Availability of adequate and relevant structures is crucial for the governance of TVET institutions. The purpose of this study was to investigate and assess the institutional structures and their effects on skills development in public youth polytechnics in Murang’a, Kirinyaga and Nairobi city counties. The objectives of the study were to assess the youth polytechnics’ various institutional structures and their effects on skills development and determine the institutional capacity development requirements. The Cross-sectional survey design was used in this study. The study targeted all the 61 Public Youth Polytechnics in Murang’a, Kirinyaga and Nairobi city counties. The stratified sampling method was used to select 18 polytechnics that formed the study sample. The Managers, Heads of Department, District Youth Training Officers and primary school head teachers were respondents in the study. Data collection instruments included questionnaires, interview and observation schedules. Descriptive analysis was used to analyze the data which was presented using both tabular and graphical formats. The study established various gaps in the institutional structures that hinder the development of appropriate skills in youth polytechnics. These included inadequate policy related to Board of management and Parents Associations, inadequate capacity and low involvement of the existing structures. These gaps led to poor management and inadequate training in youth polytechnics. The study recommends legal and policy measures including review of existing laws to enhance institutional structures of youth polytechnics for appropriate skills development