DETERMINANTS OF STUDENTS’ SELECTION OF HOMESCIENCE IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN MUMIAS SUB COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

Home Science as a subject has been given emphasis in the Kenya's Basic Education Curriculum Framework. It has been identified as one of the core subjects to be taught in Junior Secondary School. However, there has been low numbers of students selecting Home Science in public Secondary Schools. This trend is also evident in Mumias SubCounty. The study therefore sought to investigate the determinants of students' selection of Home Science in public Secondary Schools in Mumias Sub-County. The objectives of the study were to: Investigate the relationship between gender related perceptions and students' selection of Home Science; examine the relationship between students' attitude towards Home Science and students' selection of Home Science; determine the relationship between students' awareness of Home Science related career opportunities and students' selection of Home Science subject; establish the relationship between availability and adequacy of Home Science teaching resources at school and students' selection of Home Science subject in public Secondary Schools in Mumias Sub-County. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The study population was 761 form three students from five (5) schools offering Home Science subject. A stratified random sampling procedure was used to select 268 students from the five schools. Data were collected using a questionnaire for the students and interview guides for the principals and Home Science teachers. A pilot study was conducted in two (2) schools in Kakamega Central Sub-County with a sample of 50 form three students out of which 25 were students taking Home Science and 25 students who did not chose the subject. Data was analyzed using descriptive of frequency, percent, mean and standard deviation. Chi Square tests was used to test hypotheses at p<.05. The analysis was aided by Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) version 28.0. The study found that there is a statistically significant relationship between students' gender related perceptions [x 2 (2, n = 263) = 12.501, p= .002], students' attitude towards Home Science [x 2 (2, n = 263) = 6.121, p= .047] and students' selection of Home Science subject. However, there is no statistically significant relationship between students' awareness of Home Science related career opportunities [(2, n = 263) = 4.395, p= .111], availability and adequacy of Home Science teaching resources [x 2 (1, n = 263) = .249, p= .618] and students' selection of Home Science. The study concluded that gender related perceptions and students' attitude towards Home Science were important predictors of students' selection of Home Science subject in public Secondary Schools in Mumias Sub-County. The study recommends sensitizing the learners, educators and community members about the importance of Home Science in the households and the community as a strategy to eradicating gender stereotypes on the subject. This would likely contribute towards students having a positive attitude towards Home Science. Teachers may use the findings to develop strategies to improve students' attitudes towards Home Science. Students may use the findings to make informed decisions about their choice of subjects. Policy makers may use the findings to inform the development of policies that promote the teaching and learning of Home Science. The community may use the findings to advocate for the importance of Home Science education.