dc.description.abstract |
Girls in rural areas choose careers that are generally poorly paid because they are in
keeping with the socio-cultural norms. Neither do they endeavor to break the glass
ceiling that keeps them from promotions to policy decision making job positions in
this country. The gender gap is still great in all levels of education in Kenya, with
girls being disadvantaged. Adolescence pregnancies especially at the exit year of
Form 4 are 50 to 60 percent. Girls especially in the rural areas need to be provided
with career information as part of their secondary school education because most rural
schools have no access to sources of career information. Therefore, their choice of
careers is based on socio-cultural attitudes and socio-economic-status. Schools are
best placed to provide career information. This study explored whether schools in
rural areas are providing career information to girls and the challenges encountered in
doing this.
The purpose of this study was to examine the provision and access to career
information to girls in secondary schools in Nyahururu Division; and ascertain the
extent to which their needs are met by the existing information resources, with a view
to improving its availability. The objectives of the study were: to identify career
information needs of girls; establish whether girls have access to adequate career
information; identify the sources of career information; evaluate the sources of career
information; establish the teachers‟ role in providing career information to secondary
school girls; identify challenges experienced and propose solutions to challenges
identified in the study.
This study was based on Frank Parson‟s Trait and Factor Theory propounded in 1909
and John Holland‟s Theory of Personalities propounded in 1959.
The study was confined to nine private schools and seven public schools in
Nyahururu Division. Both quantitative and qualitative research methods were used. A
random sample of Forms 3 and 4 students responded to semi structured
questionnaires. Career teachers served as key informants and responded to semi
structured interview. Government officers in charge of guidance and counseling units
at the headquarters responded to a semi structured interview. Quantitative data was
analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages, tables, pie charts)
while qualitative data was analyzed using interpretive and evaluative summaries.
This study offered insights into career guidance to teachers, parents, policy makers,
publishers and other stakeholders in the education sector. It was found that there is
need for career information for teachers, parents and students because the existing
career programme is inadequate for efficient dissemination of career information for
the students to be able to make wise career decisions.
It was recommended that all stakeholders should collaborate and work as team for
effective and efficient dissemination of career information to students. |
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