PJ PALGO JOURNAL OF EDUCATION RESEARCH

[Pages:6]PJ PALGO JOURNAL OF EDUCATION RESEARCH

ISSN 2476-8332 Volume 6 Issue 1,April 2020.Page 1-6 PJER/Index.htm Corresponding Author's Email:iwunzejohn@

Factors Influencing Students Vocational Choice in Secondary Schools in Obowo Local Government, Imo State Nigeria

Iwunze JI*., Amaechi AA and Nkwocha UC

Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria

Accepted April 14, 2020

This study examines factors influencing Students vocational choice in secondary schools. A cross sectional study was conducted among Secondary Schools in Obowo Local Government Area, Imo State Nigeria. Four hundred (400) senior secondary school students were randomly sampled from ten randomly selected. A self developed instrument titled "Factors Influencing Vocational Choice Questionnaire" (FIVCQ) was used to collect relevant data from the respondents. The instrument was developed on a 4 point Likert scale of SA, A, D, SD. The instrument was validated, pilot tested and the reliability coefficient ascertained its reliability. Findings from this study revealed that 52.0% strongly agreed that Parents occupation influence students' choice of vocation, Parents sometimes make choice of vocation for their children (60.7%), the level of education of the parents influences students choice of vocation (74.2%). On what extent personal interest and aptitude of students influence their vocational choice, 54.2% strongly agreed that students make choice of vocation because they have interest in it, students aptitude influences their choice of vocation (63.7%) Students sometimes do not consider their aptitude in choice of vocation (67.5%) On what extent prestige or prospects of vocation influence students' choice, Prestige of a vocation influences student choice 55.7% strongly agreed that Prestige of a vocation influences student choice, students do not consider the prospect of vocation before making a choice (41.7%) while (46.5%) strongly disagree that Prestige of a vocation does not influence students choice of vocation. On what extent does socio-economic status influence students' choice of vocation, 57.7% strongly agreed that Students from wealthy families have high educational opportunities, students from poor families have limited educational opportunities (61.2%), students' do not consider the financial involvement in choice of vocation (65.2%). Also, on what extent does school guidance and counseling service influence students' choice of vocation 35.7% strongly agreed that students can make right choice of vocation without consulting school counselor, School counselor helps the students to make right choice of vocation (50.0%) while (42.7%) strongly disagreed that there are no school counselors to aid students choice of vocation. It was therefore recommended that school counselors' at all educational level should be trained to provide adequate and effective vocational guidance to students. And programmes like career day/week, vocational enlightenment programmes and other guidance programmes that are educative and informative should be sponsored in the school for students' benefit.

Keywords: Vocational choice, Parents, school counselors, secondary school, Students

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The process of vocational choice is complex. It requires not only the knowledge of existing jobs and job market but also knowledge of oneself and value. The process of vocational choice of secondary school students today is very difficult because of the intricacy and decreasing visibility of work opportunities. Previous studies have shown that in most cases the wealth of parents and their social class can influence the type of schools and vocations their children go into. This is so because the parents are responsible for their children's financial obligations; their earnings will therefore determine how much they can spend on the child. Tyler (2000) a psychologist sees poverty as a factor that can influence the youth choice of vocation or career attends. Nwamuo (2003) carried out a study and tried to find out whether socio-economic conditions affect the career choice of female students in Nigeria. He found out that it does not influence their choice; he holds the view that without doubts that all parents and relatives desire their children yet if funds are limited, the male child may be educated more frequently than the female child. Harvey and Rogers (2000) both carried out a research Son two social status, the "low and the high", they found out that students from high socio-economic class are more

2.Palgo J.Edu.Research

disposed with various occupations than students from the lower class. According to Werts (2003), students have the strong tendency of entering into their parents, researchers disagree with the view in that it has no universal only if well placed would want to take up their parent's job but students with poor parents will struggle to enter into better job than their parents. Oyebode (2000) in his work said the level of education of parents does not influence their children choice of vocation; rather they tend to choose vocations that are highly esteemed. This of course is the influence of background which has determined the task in choice. Another researcher, Hincnly (2000) carried out a study on some students in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria regarding the influence of family background on occupational choice.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The increasing phenomenon of unemployment of school leavers in Nigeria in recent time is attaining unprecedented dimensions. Many unemployed youth roam about the street in most urban centres in Nigeria. This seems to reflect lack of vocational guidance for the youngsters when they were in school. One of the deficiencies of the existing career programme in Nigerian schools is lack of vocational information that could facilitate vocational decision making. Similarly, parental intervention in the career choice of their children is a great concern. Most parents take delight in dictating careers that are at variance with ability, interest and aspiration of their children. In other to find a lasting solution to the problem of vocational choice which had affected job seekers and Nigerian employment status, studies have been conducted. Oladele (2001) researched on the problem associated with vocational choice of secondary school students and the major finding revealed that societal influence play vital role on the adolescents' self concept and vocational interest. Previous studies have shown that there are many factors influencing students vocational choice in secondary schools in some parts of Nigeria but none have been conducted in Obowo. Hence, the study was carried out to examine factors influencing students vocational choice in secondary schools in Obowo Local Government Area, Imo State Nigeria. To find answer to this variable of study, the following research questions were formulated:

i.

Do parents influence vocational choice of students?

ii.

Does the personal interest of the students count in his choice of vocation

iii. Does prestige influence the students count in his choice of vocation

iv. Does socio-economic status influence students count in his choice of vocation

v.

Are there guidance services in the school? If they do they influence students' choice of vocation?

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Area of the study

The area under study consists of five (5) secondary schools in Obowo Local Government Area of Imo State, South East Nigeria. Obowo consists of fourteen villages namely Avutu, Alike, Amuzi, Umuariam, Ehume, Umulogho etc. Obowo Local Government council came into existence sequel to the May 1989 creation of local government in the country by the defunct Ibrahim Babangida administration. The geographical coordinates of the area is Latitude 50101N-5051N and Longitude 60351 E-70281 E. It has an area of 198 km2 and the vegetation characteristics are tropical rain forest. It experiences moderate rainfall, with an annual rainfall of 1500mm and average minimum temperature of 20?C. It has two distinct seasons; wet and dry season. The major occupation of the people is farming and this is still done at the subsistence level. Some of the people also embraced small scale trading and fishing. Garri remains the major staple food of the people, the produce good quantity of vegetable; they also produce oil, kernel broom (local ones) and baskets. Culturally Obowo have their rich culture Iwa-Akwa festival, which embraces the general Obowo citizen. Other festivals includes Ekpo- festival at Umunachi, Umungwa, Umuagu and Amuzi, Mbomuzo festival at Umulogho and Amanze, Egbe nkwu Avutu. Ntumaka ?Alike and Umuariam. Obowo is also a tourist delight with blue Abadaba Lake, isi iyi Umuokoro-Umuariam, Uzii water etc. There are tourist attraction in the area of Umuariam game reserve centre with live monkey.

POPULATION OF THE STUDY

The population of the study consists of all the teachers, students and parents of SS2 students in five secondary schools in Obowo. The schools chosen were Umuariam Technical Secondary School , Avutu Secondary School, Okenalogho

Secondary School, Immaculate Heart Secondary School Alike Obowo and Ehume Secondary School.

Iwunze et al 3.

INSTRUMENT FOR DATA COLLECTION

Instrument used in collecting the data for this study is the questionnaire. It is designed to cover all the essential variables that are required for the study. The questionnaire contains twenty item questions arranged in response to the research questions. The introduction, selection is concerned with a letter to the respondents soliciting for his or her maximum cooperation in supplying the needed information for the study. The next concern itself with the background information about the respondents' age, sex, class, school, parents' occupation and hobby; in the next section, the students are required to tick to indicate the degree of what influences him or her in choosing their career.

ADMINISTRATION OF INSTRUMENT

The instrument used to elicit information relevant to the problem was the questionnaire designed by the researchers. The researchers administered the questionnaire face to face and collected them immediately.

DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF THE INSTRUMENT

The development and reliability of the instrument which is an estimate of the consistency and stability was determined through a test re-retest. For the validation, the researchers' instrument was subjected to evaluation by the researchers' supervisor and other experts.

DATA ANALYSIS Data collected were subjected to statistical analysis using percentage

RESULTS

Table 1 shows the extent family background influence the vocational choice of students from the table, (52.0%) strongly agreed that parents occupation influences students choice of vocation followed by Agree (45.7%), Disagree (1.5%) while (0.0%) strongly disagreed. On the other hand (60.7%) strongly agreed Parents sometimes make choice of vocation for their children followed by Agreed (37.5%), Disagree 6.0% while (0.0%) strongly disagreed. Also the on the level of education of the parents influences students choice of vocation shows that (74.2%) strongly agreed followed by Agree (25.0%), Disagree (0.7%) while (0.0%) strongly disagreed. Table 2 shows eextent personal interest and aptitude of students influence their vocational choice from the table, (54.2%) strongly agreed that Parents occupation influence students choice of vocation followed by Agree (41.7%), Disagree (1.5%) while (2.5%) strongly disagreed. On the other hand (63.7%) strongly agreed that Parents sometimes make choice of vocation for their children followed by Agreed (45.2%), Disagree 1.0% while (0.0%) strongly disagreed. Also the on the level of education of the parents influences students choice of vocation shows that (77.5%) strongly agreed followed by Agree (26.7%), Disagree (4.7%) while (3.0%) strongly disagreed. Table 3 shows whether prestige or prospects of vocation influence students' choice, Prestige of a vocation influences student choice from the table, (55.7%) strongly agreed that Parents occupation influence students choice of vocation followed by Agree (25.7%), Disagree (13.2%) while (5.2%) strongly disagreed. On the other hand (41.7%) strongly agreed that Students do not consider the prospect of vocation before making a choice followed by Agreed (31.7%), Disagree (18.5)% while (8.0%) strongly disagreed. Also Prestige of a vocation does not influence students choice of vocation shows that (46.5%) strongly disagreed followed by Disagree (39.0%), Aagree (13.5%) while (1.0%) strongly agree Table 4 shows extent does socio-economic status influence students' choice of vocation from the table, (57.7%) strongly agreed that Students from wealthy families have high educational opportunities followed by Agree (39.5%), Disagree (2.7%) while (0.0%) strongly disagreed. On the other hand (61.2%) strongly agreed that Students from poor families have limited educational opportunities followed by Agreed (26.0%), Disagree (10.7%) while (2.0%) strongly disagreed. Also Students do not consider the financial involvement in choice of vocation shows that (65.2%) strongly agreed followed by Agree (24.0%), Disagree (8.0%) while (2.7%) strongly disagreed. Table 5 shows extent does school guidance and counseling service influence students' choice of vocation from the table, (35.7%) strongly agreed that Students can make right choice of vocation without consulting school counselor followed by Agree (30.2%), Disagree (15.2%) while (18.5%) strongly disagreed. On the other hand (50.0%) strongly agreed that School

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counselor helps the students to make right choice of vocation followed by Agreed (25.7%), Disagree (9.0%) while (15.2%) strongly disagreed. Also whether there are no school counselors to aid students choice of vocation shows that (42.7%) strongly disagreed followed by Disagree (26.5%), Agree (22.2%) while (8.5%) strongly agreed.

TABLES

Research Question 1 : To what extent does family background influence the vocational choice of students?

S/N Statements

Agree

Disagree Strongly

Strongly

Agree

Disagree

No %

No %

No %

No %

1

Parents occupation influence students 183 45.7 6 1.5 208 52.0 0 0.0

choice of vocation

2

Parents sometimes make choice of 150 37.5 24 6.0 243 60.7 0 0.0

vocation for their children

3

The level of education of the parents 100 25.0 3 0.7 297 74.2 0 0.0

influences students choice of vocation

Research Question 2 :To what extent personal interest and aptitude of students influence their vocational choice

S/N

Statements

Agree

Disagree

Strongly

Strongly

Agree

Disagree

No %

No %

No %

No

%

4

Students make choice of vocation 167 41.7 6 1.5 217 54.2 10

2.5

because they have interest in it

5

Students aptitude influences their 181 45.2 4 1.0 255 63.7 0

0.0

choice of vocation

6

Students sometimes do not 107 26.7 19 4.7 271 67.5 3

0.7

consider their aptitude in choice of

vocation

Research Question 3 :To what extent prestige or prospects of vocation influence students' choice, Prestige of a vocation influences

student choice

S/N Statements

Agree

Disagree

Strongly

Strongly

Agree

Disagree

No %

No %

No %

No %

7 Prestige of a vocation influences student 103 25.7 53

13.2 223 55.7 21 5.2

choice

8 Students do not consider the prospect of 127 31.7 74

18.5 167 41.7 32 8.0

vocation before making a choice

9 Prestige of a vocation does not influence 54

13.5 156 39.0 4

1.0

186 46.5

students choice of vocation

Research Question 4 :To what extent does socio-economic status influence students' choice of vocation?

S/N

Statements

Agree

Disagree Strongly

Strongly

Agree

Disagree

No %

No %

No %

No %

10

Students from wealthy families have high 158 39.5 11 2.7 231 57.7 0 0.0

educational opportunities

11

Students from poor families have limited 104 26.0 43 10.7 245 61.2 8 2.0

educational opportunities

12

Students do not consider the financial 96 24.0 32 8.0 261 65.2 11 2.7

involvement in choice of vocation

Research Question 5 :To what extent does school guidance and counseling service influence students' choice of vocation

S/N

Statements

Agree

Disagree

Strongly

Strongly

Agree

Disagree

No %

No

%

No %

No

%

13

Students can make right choice of 122 30.2 61

15.2 143 35.7 74

18.5

vocation without consulting school

counselor

14

School counselor helps the 103 25.7 36

9.0

200 50.0 61

15.2

students to make right choice of

vocation

15

There are no school counselors to 89

22.2 106

26.5 34

8.5

171 42.7

aid students choice of vocation

Iwunze et al 5.

DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS

According to the result of the data analysis, it was observed that parents have influence in their children's choice of vocation. Hayes and Hopson (2001) are of the view that parents and family play a vital-role in occupational choice of youths, since the children grow up among in their families, they are likely to imbibe some of their values and ideas which will be reflected in his choice of career. The study of Brown (1999) seem to conform with the finding which stated that most parents tends to influence the choice of their children by telling them what career to take up. However, Brown strongly advise parents to get information from the school in order to know the performance of the child before suggesting a career. These finding is in consonance with the study Hincnly (2003) wwhich he carried out on some students of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria regarding the influence of family background on occupational choice. Supporting this view, Thorndike (1977) stated that vocational choice is not only what a person will be able to do but also what he may be interested in doing which will give him satisfaction and pleasure in life. It is as a result of this that inventories to assess interest have been developed by psychologists, but the expression of interest on the type of jobs known to the person. In a related literature, Butcher and Pont (1968) in their research tried to find out what career students ranked high and why they did so. The result showed that the reason given in the students' essays reflected the findings of the rating scale that interest in the subject involved in the career and consequently interest in the career appeared to be deciding factor. Olayinka (2009) shared the same view with these findings. He stated that when an individual is exposed to appropriate curriculum, his talent aptitude will be fully developed if an individual identifies his interest and aptitude his choice of career becomes less problematic and realistic. The finding confirmed that the socio-economic status influence students' vocational choice, Harvey and Roger (2000) agreed with the findings both carried out a research on two social strata, they found out that students from high socio-economic class are more disposed with various occupation than students from lower class, students from higher socio-economic stratum had higher education goals and desire to obtain occupation while lower socio-economic have resigned themselves to less education and lower job status.

Similarly, Oyeneye (2004) did a study in Oyo and Ede town in Western Nigeria and found out socio-economic status influence the choice of students' career. Children with high socio-economic background are more exposed to skilled work. The less advantaged students may not afford to pursued such a vocation due to insufficient finance. Tyler (2000) shared the same view with find when he said that poverty is a factor that can influence the youth choice of vocation or career, poverty dictates the type of school a child attends, his/her development and exposure to realities of life is limited because of his economics situation. The findings concluded that guidance and counseling service played a vital role in students' choice of vocations. Pecku (1999) confirmed this findings when he stated in his article the role of guidance and counseling in educational set up, he sees the counselor not only as an educational worker but also as economic promoter because of his/her role in guiding students in vocational choice. The students through guidance are aided to understand him/herself, his/her abilities, interests and goals which have the problem of choice at both education vocational levels. Hayes (2003) also stressed the importance of career guidance.

SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS

Based on the result of the data analysis of this study, the researchers observed that parents are highly influential in their children choice of vocations. The findings also indicated that students' interest and aptitude are strong factors that influence their vocational choice. The findings also showed that the prestige or prospect of vocation influence students' choice. The findings equally indicated that socio-economic status influence students' choice of vocation. The guidance and counseling influence students' choice of vocation.

REFERENCE

Brown, G. (1999). The career handbook for boys, London Author: Barkard Ltd.Fafunwa, A.B. (2003). History of education in Nigeria: George Allen and Union Ltd.

Butcher, M.J. and Pont, H.B. (1968). Opinions about careers among Scottish secondary school children of high ability: The British Journal of Education Psychology, Vol. 33, Part 3, P.272-279.

Harvey, M.C. and Roger, A.K.(2000). The influence of social stratification and age on occupational aspiration of adolescent: The Journal of Education Research, Vol. 71, No.5, P260-266.

Hayes (2003). The roles of occupational information in career guidance in Hospon B. and Hayes, J.: the theory and practice of vocation: Pergamum Press, P.33-38.

Hayes, J. and Hapson, B. (2001). Career guidance and role of the school in vocational development, London: Heinemann Education Books Ltd.

Hincnly, K. (2003): Manpower planning and occupational choice in Nigeria: The West African Journal of Education, Vol. XVII, No.l, P.165-173.

6.Palgo J.Edu.Research

Nwamuo (2003). Career aspiration of Kenyan woman: The Journal of Negro Education, Vol. XLIV, No.4. Olayinka (2009). Vocational guidance in Nigeria: Unpublished monograph, Faculty of Education, University of Lagos. Oyebode, M.O. (2000). The influence of parents' education on the level of vocational aspirations of form three and four students in

Lagos Area\ A Paper , Presented at the Nigeria Psychological Society d Conference held at the University of Lagos. Oyeneye (2004). The problem of self allocation on the planning of vocation aspect of Nigeria'. The Vocational Aspect of Education,

Vol. 32, No. 8, P.39-43. Pecku, NK (1999). Introduction to Guidance for Training Colleges. Accra: Assemblies of God Literature Centre. Provincial E Thorndike, R.L. and Hagen, E.P. (1977). Measurement and evaluation in Psychology and Education, New York: John Wiley and

Sons. Tyler, L.F. (2000). The encounter with poverty, its effect on vocational psychology in Peters, H.J. and Hanson, J. (ed.): Vocational

Guidance and Career Development, New York: Macmillan Publishing Company. Werts, C.E. (2003). Parental influence on career choice: . Journal of counseling psychology, Vol. 15, P.48-52.

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