Factors Affecting Students’ Vocational Choice: The Case of Jimma College of Teachers Education

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess factors affecting students’ vocational choice in Jimma College of Teachers Education., The study design was descriptive research with quantitative research approach. Sample size used in the study was 189, determined by simple random sampling technique from the population of 362. Method of data collection monitored by Factors Influencing Teaching Choice (FIT) Model to measure motivation constructs and perceptions about vocational choice. The data was collected through structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed through descriptive statistics to identify the factors influencing vocational choice and to compare the gender difference in vocational choice. Consequently, the result revealed that “shaping future generation” was the highest ranking factor (mean = 5.7725 and Std. deviation = 0.61331) followed by intrinsic career value factors (mean = 5.7284 and Std. deviation = 0.87806) found to be the highest motivational factors influencing students’ vocational choice as a teacher. On the other hand, the “social dissuasion” was ranked the highest from subcategory of perception factors (mean = 5.7743 and Std. deviation = 0.87806) followed by “a good salary” (mean = 4.9709 and Std. deviation = 0.57004). There is also a significant gender difference among the identified nine factors. To end with, the study forwarded the recommendations to the Ministry of Education of Ethiopia and to concerning educational policy-makers to ensure a better opportunity to enjoy job transferability, time for their families, teachers’ morale and social equity in teaching profession towards enhancing the choice of teaching as a vocation.