IMPLEMENTATION OF AGRICULTURE EDUCATION FOR JOB CREATION IN TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING INSTITUTIONS IN WESTERN KENYA

Abstract

This study investigated the extent of implementation of agriculture education to enhance job creation in Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions in Western Kenya. This purpose of this study was to find out the suitability of the process of implementing agriculture education programs in TVET institutions with the aim of reducing joblessness. The study objectives were: to establish the competence of trainers involved, adequacy and efficiency of physical infrastructure and training equipment used, the extent to which trainers incorporates practical and trainee-centered pedagogical approaches and the curriculum support materials used in implementation of agriculture education for job creation in TVETs in Western Kenya. The study was guided by Functional curriculum theory by Kauffman that opines that, the purpose of education is to equip trainees with practical knowledge and skills to enable them fit and exploit their environment. Descriptive research design approach with a combination of mixed method was used for the study. Stratified and simple random techniques were used to sample 131 respondents for the study that included 9 principals, 42 trainers and 80 trainees selected from a population of 985 that encompassed 43 principals, 142 trainers and 800 trainees. An observation checklist, interview guide and questionnaires were employed for data collection. The study revealed that the trainers have not been adequately retooled to enhance their competence in agriculture training for job creation. They were also found to be using traditional pedagogical approaches as opposed to practical and trainee centered method. Similarly, the physical infrastructure of TVET institutions was found to be inadequate hence impeding successful implementation of agriculture education for job creation. Curriculum support materials were averagely available in the TVETs. This study concluded that agriculture education implementation for job creation in TVETs in Western Kenya is not achieved due to inadequate trainer retooling, inadequate infrastructure and poor pedagogical approaches used. The finding of this study can help mitigate areas of weaknesses that need improvement as well as those that need to be strengthened when implementing agriculture education. Ultimately, this research sought to contribute to enhancing sustainable development through the better alignment of education and training with the societal needs such as job creation.