Agricultural experiences as correlates of secondary school students’ achievement and career decisions in agricultural science

Abstract

This study examined agricultural experiences as correlates of secondary school students’ achievement and career decisions in agricultural science. The study adopted a survey research design. Simple random sampling technique was employed in selecting six hundred (600) senior secondary schools (SS II) Agricultural Science Students. Instruments used were Career Decision Questionnaire, Agricultural Experience Questionnaire and Students Achievement Test in Agriculture. Four research questions were raised to guide the study. Data was analysed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation and Multiple regression. The results revealed that poultry, fishery and cashew farming had significant correlation with students’ achievement (r=-0.093, -0.127 and -0.127) and career decision (r=-0.155, -0.136 and -.132) in Agricultural Science respectively. The findings showed that there were significant joint contributions of agricultural experiences to students’ achievement (F_(3,600) = 3.992; P < 0.05) and career decision (F_(3,600)= 22.807; P < 0.05) in Agricultural Science. The findings further revealed that fishery (β= -0.79) was the greatest predictor of students’ achievement in agriculture while poultry (β = -0.333) mostly predicted students career decision in Agricultural Science. It was recommended that curriculum planners should systematically introduce agricultural science experiences (poultry, fishery and cashew farming) into the curriculum content of all the Secondary School Students and it should not be streamlined to only science students alone because of its educational value and it relevance to the needs of the learner and society as a whole.

Keywords: Agricultural experiences, achievement, career decision in Agricultural Science