Trends of Students’ Participation in Science and Technology Bachelor Degree Programmes in Public Universities, Kenya

Abstract

Despite the government commitment to the implementation of admission policies targeting increasing the proportion of all students studying science-related programmes at Bachelors’ level, only 29% of students were studying a course in Science and Technology by the year 2016. Such scenario implies that the country is seriously lagging behind in the realization of Kenya Education Sector Support Programme (KESSP I) participation target of 50%. The purpose of this study was to explore the gaps which existed in the stated government policies designed to guide admission to science and technology bachelor’s degree programmes and their actual practice during implementation. The study employed descriptive survey design and purposive sampling technique to select three Public Universities, 12 HoDs, 24 lecturers, and three Academic Registrars. Documentary analysis and interview schedules were utilized to collect data. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically and reported in form of tables, quotations and narrations while quantitative data was analyzed by use of frequencies, percentages, means, pie charts and bar graphs. It was established that enrolment stood at 41%, graduation at 23% and Universities had prioritized 55.2% of their programmes in the same area. The study concludes that Universities should balance enrolment in science and technology and non-sciences and programmes have to be clearly aligned to the developmental needs of the country.