Students' attitudes towards choosing agriculture as a career: A case of Bihawana Agricultural Secondary School in Dodoma Municipality, Tanzania.
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Date
2024-12-19
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Publisher
ISRG Publishers
Abstract
This study explores the attitudes of students towards agriculture as a career, with a specific focus on Bihawana Agricultural
Secondary School in Dodoma Municipal, Tanzania. Despite agriculture’s crucial role in Tanzania’s economy, there is a noticeable
decline in youth interest in pursuing it as a career. The research seeks to understand the factors influencing students' views on
agriculture, including personal preferences, societal perceptions, and the economic prospects associated with the field.
Understanding their attitudes is crucial for addressing this issue and attracting more individuals to this field. This study employed
a mixed-methods approach, including Questionnaires and interviews, to gather data from 60 students within Bihawana secondary
school. Quantitative data were analysed by using SPSS computer software and “content analysis” technique was used to analyse
qualitative data. The findings shows that, there is low percentage of students selected agriculture as their career path under their
own interest, this gives an alarm on the need to invest more in agricultural schools and knowledge on the importance of agriculture
in the country. Also it was found out that, most students choose agriculture as a career pass from home experience and due to lack
of other employment. Moreover it was revealed that although several students at Bihawana Agricultural Secondary School
acknowledge the significance of agriculture, some of them lack enthusiasm about it as a future career. Factors such as limited
exposure to advanced agricultural practices, societal stigma, and the attraction of higher-paying jobs in urban areas influence
their attitudes. The study suggests several measures to enhance agricultural education and interest to students, including, the
government to offer appropriate and high-quality education by providing positive technical supports for the students who choose
agriculture as their preferred career path by increased practical experiences, and media campaigns to shift perceptions and
encourage students to consider agriculture as a viable career option. Also, parents and the society at large to support and
encourage their children and youths to view agriculture with a positive eye and see it as a way of livelihood
Description
ISRG Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies (ISRGJMS), pp. 40-50
Keywords
Employment, Agriculture, Career choice, Technology
Citation
https://isrgpublishers.com/isrgjms/