The Critical Factors Affecting Enrolment in Kenyan Youth Polytechnics

Abstract

This research aimed at carrying out a comprehensive investigation of the factors that may have led to low enrolment patterns in youth polytechnics (YPs) in Kenya. This research was carried out in Kericho, Bureti and Bomet districts. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 180 YP students, 63 instructors, 90 parents, 90 YP graduates and 90 youths not enrolled from the neighborhoods of YPs. 18 YP Principals and 18 Deputy Principals were selected for interview. This gave a sample of 513 respondents. The study was both quantitative and qualitative. Data was collected using questionnaires, interviews, discussions and observations. Descriptive statistics and statistical package for social scientists (SPSS) were used to analyze the data collected. The findings of this study show that low enrolment pattern is caused by lack of training facilities, lack of competent trainers, mismatch of curriculum and market demands, poor management, low morale of instructors, lack of boarding facilities, lack of water and electrical power supplies, negative image created by the leaders, lack of awareness on the importance of the training in YPs and lack of proper role models in the field.