Course Content and Career Choice Among Students in Secondary Schools in Uganda

Abstract

This study about course content and career choices among students in secondary schools, was carried out in Wakiso District in central Uganda. The main purpose of the study was to generate in-depth understanding of how course content influences career choices among students, so as to provide effective guidance to students in career choice decision-making. The study adopted the descriptive research design, with both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Data was gathered from 315 respondents, who included the District Education Department staff, headteachers, deputy headteachers, career-teachers, students and student leaders in the selected public and private secondary schools. Additional data was collected from staff of UNEB and NCDC. The respondents were selected using purposive and simple-random sampling techniques. Data were collected using validated and pre-tested self-administered questionnaire (SAQs), interview guides and document analysis. The quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, while qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. The study findings according to the respondent teachers indicated that course content accounts for 13.4% of the decisions relating to career choice among students, at.134; p=.006 < .05; while according to the respondent students, course content accounts for 17.2% of the decisions relating to career choice among students and at .172; p=.028 < .05. The study concluded that there is a significant influence of course content on career choice among students. The study recommended among other things, that teachers should always arrange course content in a manner that generates students’ interest in the intended outcome of each course unit. This could ultimately lead to improvement in their career choice decision making.

Keywords: Course Content, Career Choice, Students, Secondary Schools, Uganda.

DOI: 10.7176/JEP/16-3-05

Publication date: March 30^th 2025