Strategies for Increasing Students’ Enrolment in Government Technical Colleges in Ondo State

Abstract

This study investigates strategies to enhance student enrollment in government technical colleges in Ondo State, Nigeria. Adopting a descriptive survey design, the research sampled 115 respondents ,including students and teachers across five government technical colleges. Data collection was facilitated using a validated and reliable questionnaire, achieving a reliability coefficient of 0.85 through the test-retest method. Descriptive statistics and t-tests were employed for data analysis. Findings reveal key factors contributing to low enrollment, such as poor societal perceptions of technical education, insufficient career awareness, limited exposure to technical fields, and the absence of effective career counselling. Guidance counsellors' efforts, such as inviting role models and interpreting vocational information, were found to moderately influence enrollment but require enhancement in delivering comprehensive career guidance. Parental involvement, including financial support and career planning, emerged as significant but underutilized strategies. Gender-based disparities in perceptions were also noted, with males highlighting barriers more prominently while females perceived greater support from counsellors and parents. The study underscores the urgent need for multi-stakeholder interventions, including awareness campaigns, improved funding, care guidance, and targeted gender-sensitive strategies. Recommendations include government-led initiatives to reposition technical education, enhanced parental and community involvement and capacity-building for counsellors. These measures aim to align technical education with labor market demands, fostering sustainable development and workforce self-reliance.