Influence of classroom practice of home science on employability in Kakamega County: Kenya
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Date
2017-04
Authors
Abwao, Linet Kuya
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Tackling unemployment through vocationalisation of education is a strategy that has worked in
countries such as United States, Australia, United Kingdom, Switzerland and Mozambique
among others. It is in the light of this that the study sought to evaluate the methods of teaching
Home Science in secondary schools for the purpose of informing policy on quality education
delivery in vocational education. Home Science is a vocational subject which, if effectively
taught; impacts learners with practical skills and attitudes necessary in equipping graduates with
the ability to transform themselves into self-employed citizens. This study sought to investigate
the influence of classroom practice of Home Science on employability in Kakamega County. The
study objectives were; to create sensitization on the problem of unemployment among the youths
in Kakamega County, to examine the methods used in teaching Home Science in Secondary
Schools in Kakamega County, to identify the competencies developed through Home Science
that are related to employability in Kakamega County and to establish the challenges affecting
the teaching and learning of Home Science in Secondary Schools in Kakamega County. The
study adopted a descriptive survey design in which 188 respondents were sampled to take part.
Respondents were identified from Secondary Schools in Kakamega Central teaching Home
Science subject. Respondents from the study included students, Home Science teachers and head
teachers. The study used questionnaires for Home science teachers and students and an interview
schedule for head teachers in collecting data. To ascertain validity of data collection instruments,
a pilot study was undertaken before administering the instruments to respondents and feedback
from the pilot study informed the corrections in the data collection instruments. Reliability of
data collection instruments was ascertained through the use of test-retest method where
Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient was computed and found to be reliable. Both descriptive and
inferential statistics were employed in the process of data analysis. Study data was analysed
using Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) version 22.0 for windows. Descriptive
statistics included frequencies and percentages. These were used to summarize and describe the
study data. Inferential statistics used in the study included regression analysis, t-test, Pearson
Product Moment Correlation Coefficient and Chi-Square. Inferential statistics were used to
determine independence of scores and relationships between and among study variables. All
statistical procedures were computed at 95% confidence level. Study findings revealed that there
were significantly high rates of unemployment in Kakamega County. It was also found that class
room lecture method, practical method, discussion method, group work, field work and project
methods were the preferred methods for teaching Home Science in Secondary Schools in
Kakamega County. Further still, the study established that offering Home Science in Secondary
Schools in Kakamega County did not have a significant relationship with unemployment trends
and that there was a statistically significant positive relationship between policies and
effectiveness of teaching methods for Home Science in Kakamega County. The study has
stretched the frontiers of knowledge with regard to the relationship between teaching methods
and effectiveness of delivery on vocational subjects. Recommendations have been made
regarding a number of measures that could enhance the quality and relevance of Home Science
and other vocational education subjects in creating employment especially for the youthful
school leavers. These measures include stakeholder involvement, limiting the number of schools
teaching vocational subjects to only those with adequate equipment and increasing funding to
support effective teaching and learning of vocational courses among others.
Description
A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the Degree of Master of Education in the School of Education, Kenyatta University. April, 2017