Gender and enrolment in vocational institutions in south sudan: a case study of wau county.

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to examine the influence of gender on the enrolment of girls and boys in Vocational Institutions in South Sudan. The research was guided by three specific objectives which were to; identify the differences in the enrolment of boys and girls in the different vocational education and training programmes, examine the factors that influence the enrolment of girls in vocational education and training, and explore strategies for increasing the enrolment of girls in vocational education and training. Random and purposive sampling techniques were used in selection of the respondents. A sample of 29 respondents was used in the study. Qualitative technique was used in the process of data collection. The data collected was analyzed by use of Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS). The Findings revealed that enrolment into the vocational education and training was more favorable to boys as compared to the girls. Throughout the years reviewed, the number of boys enrolled was more compared to the girls, and boys had enrolled in all the programmes unlike the girls who were not enrolled in some particular programmes like auto mechanics and masonry. It was also noted that as the years progressed, the number of girls in the enrolment kept on reducing. On the other hand, the study findings revealed that the families and community attitude were majorly responsible for the low enrolment of girls in the vocational programmes in Wau County. Another significant factor that influenced enrolment according to the findings was poverty among parents. It was noted that the most common policy considered for enrolment is an award of Primary Eight Certificate and ability to read and write. The study therefore recommends that vocational training institutions in Wau County in conjunction with the Ministry of General Education and Instruction and Ministry of Labour and Public Service, should work closely with Non-Governmental Organizations to sensitize the families and community on the causes and effects of gender disparity in enrolment into vocational education and training, improve on the gender policies to support increased girls enrolment and build up more vocational facilities so as to encourage more girls.