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Article Title: The Effect of Provision of Career Guidance Information in Secondary Schools on Choice of Degree Programme
by Joyce M.A. Lugulu and Lydia C. Kipkoech

Abstract:
This study investigated the selection of undergraduate students' in degree programs in Moi University, Kenya. It explored the attitudes and perceptions of the participants on what determines the choice of undergraduate degree programmes. A mixture of Quantitative and Qualitative methodologies and Case Study research design was used. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 11 schools out of 15 and stratified random sampling to select 754 respondents to constitute the sample. A questionnaire was administered to 742 students respondents in order to measure their perceptions, attitudes, values and behaviour on the subject of study and also to identify key research themes that were probed further. Three Focus Group Discussions and ten face-to-face interviews were conducted with selected respondents who were believed to be more knowledgeable about the selection of students' in undergraduate degree programs. Document analysis of the archival documents was also done. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages were used to determine and explain proportions. In the light of findings, the study concluded that the level of career guidance and counseling provided in secondary schools was neither well planned nor organized. In addition, there were no clear policies within which the service is provided. Students' degree programme decisions were guided by other factors rather than interest. Universities do not sufficiently market degree programmes in secondary schools. JAB places a high number of students in degree programmes they do not choose or have a passion for. Therefore, career guidance and counseling provided in schools is inadequate to enable students make informed choices of degree programs.Consequently, the study made the following recommendations. There is need for career guidance and counseling to be mainstreamed in the education system within clear policies and be monitored. The freedom to choose should be complimented by adequate career information. Universites should actively market degree programmes to students. In view of these findings, it can be noted that the successes of students making informed degree programs choices will depend on the level of career guidance and counseling given in schools and marketing of degree programs offered by universities.

Keywords: career, choice, guidance, programme, planning, development

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