Factors affecting students' participation in technical programmes at the Sunyani polytechnic

Abstract

Participation of students in technical programmes has been on the decline since the inception of the Sunyani Polytechnic in 1991. Enrolment in technical subjects was very high when it was a Technical Institute. The study which was a descriptive survey sought to investigate factors responsible for the low participation of students in technical subjects. It also looked for conditions that will encourage higher participation levels. The study focused on factors affecting enrolment of students for various technical programmes in Sunyani Polytechnic, challenges facing Technical/Vocational Education and Training, effects of the problem and remedies to address the problems. A total number of 200 samples were drawn from Sunyani Polytechnic, Twene-Amanfo Senior High Secondary Technical School, Sacred Heart Junior High School, the Regional Technology Transfer Centre, and the Sunyani Garages. Instruments used in the collection of data were questionnaires, interviews, and analysis of documents. The study revealed that low participation of students in Technical programmes in Sunyani Polytechnic was influenced by lack of interest, disregard for students who pursue technical programmes and lack of attention to technical vocational education in the country. Conclusion drawn was that, technical education requires more attention and must be organised properly to attract more students especially in the polytechnics.