Internal and External Determinants of Junior School Preparedness for Learners’ Career Pathway Choices in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya

Abstract

Preparing students to make informed career pathway choices in senior schools is a critical role for junior schools' management and stakeholders. Learners’ career preparedness begins with the early identification and nurturing of learners’ abilities and talents by the school’s management through teaching and learning processes. The study investigated the internal and external determinants of junior schools’ preparedness in shaping learners’ career pathway choices in senior schools in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. Specifically, the objectives were to examine the influence of school-level factors on learners’ preparedness, assess the effect of sensitization activities on shaping learners’ knowledge and attitudes, and analyze the role of parents and guardians in supporting preparedness in career pathway choices in senior schools. A descriptive survey research design was adopted. The target population comprised 437 Heads of Institutions, and random sampling was used to select 80 junior schools (20%). Respondents comprised 80 Heads of Institutions and 80 Parents’ Association representatives, making a sample of 160. Collection of Data was done through questionnaires, with responses from 76 Principals and 68 parents’ representatives, yielding a 90% return rate. Data was cleaned, coded, and analyzed both thematically and descriptively using Statistical Packages for Social Sciences, with frequencies and percentages employed to describe relationships among the variables. The findings revealed that schools significantly influence learners’ preparedness through curriculum delivery, career guidance and experiential learning process. Awareness campaigns and workshops were also found to strongly shape career choices in senior schools. Additionally, parental support emerged as a critical factor influencing learners’ preparedness. The study recommends that parents participate in meeting attendance and actively engage in mentorship, career guidance, academic clinics, and resource support to enhance learners’ career pathway choices preparedness.