Trends in Selection of Agriculture Subject among Students in Secondary Schools in Bungoma and Kakamega Counties, Kenya

Abstract

While agriculture is a major source of employment, it is notable that youths in developing countries are unemployed, yet the countries’ economies are dependent on it. Though there are immense prospects in the agricultural sector in Kenya, agriculture is taught in schools as an optional subject under the 8-4-4 syllabus so that it may stimulate youths’ participation in agriculture and improve productivity. In the current competency-based curriculum, agriculture is taught in upper primary and junior secondary to enhance competence through practical and experiential activities, thereby nurturing learners' potential. Despite the above facts, there is a limited selection of agriculture courses for career development among students in tertiary institutions. This is a cause for concern since Kenya requires human resources to drive the agricultural sector. The purpose of this study was to establish the existing trends in the selection of agriculture subjects among secondary students in different categories of schools. The specific objective was to establish the selection trends in agriculture subjects among students in secondary schools in Kakamega and Bungoma counties, Kenya, from 2016 to 2021. The study critically reviewed theories and literature to determine their gaps and sought to address the same, thereby making contributions both to the body of knowledge and practice. A descriptive design was employed. The sample size was determined from the Yamane tables of sample size (1967). One hundred and sixty-two (162) secondary schools were selected, out of 839 proportionately. A total of 249 secondary school students were sampled proportionately out of 7379 respondents. Key informants were selected purposefully. Both qualitative and quantitative data was collected using document content guides, questionnaires, and interview guides. Both descriptive and inferential techniques were employed to analyze the data, which was presented using frequency tables and graphs. Multiple comparison table results revealed the years that differed in agriculture selection for the 5 different categories of schools. A significant factor contributing to the variance in selection was the change in type of school. In general, analysis shows that private schools have the lowest mean of selection of agriculture students, causing a low combined mean in all the years of study. The combined mean of agriculture subject selection in the five categories of schools has shown a consistent increase from the year 2016 to 2021. It is necessary for the ministry of education to increase extra-county schools, county schools, and sub-county schools in order to realize significant selection means in agriculture, which ensures a basis for agriculture career development in Kenya.