An investigation of vocational interests of Grade 9 learners at selected secondary schools in WIndhoek
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Date
2021
Authors
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Publisher
University of Namibia
Abstract
This research study was conducted to shed light on the vocational interests of Grade 9 learners in specific secondary schools in Windhoek. Vocational interests form an integral component of the educational and career decisions of adolescents. This research study employed a pragmatic methodology with a sequential transformative design. The quantitative component of this design included administering, scoring, recording and analysing data from the Namibian Vocational Interest Inventory (NAMVII) to determine the participants’ fields of interest, broad areas of study and Holland codes. Differences pertaining to vocational interests between male and female participants were also investigated. The research comprised qualitative matching of the broad areas of interest to the schools’ offered fields of study in order to determine whether each school offered subjects which matched the learners’ vocational interests. It was found that fields of high
interest among learners included biological and medical sciences, social caring, business and performing arts and music. Additionally, broad areas of study that yielded a high interest were in the science, social, creative and commercial fields. Another finding, in terms of the Holland codes, revealed a high interest in the social, enterprising and artistic categories. Additionally, it was concluded that there was a significant difference between males and females’ vocational interests. Furthermore, the matching of broad areas of study with available fields of study and choice subject combinations revealed that, although many broad areas were represented by available fields of study in each school, certain fields of study were lacking. These included the social, creative and agricultural areas specifically. The research revealed important findings related to vocational interests as an important factor in career guidance in secondary school. Thus, it would be beneficial for stakeholders to take note of these findings and apply them accordingly in their career guidance and counselling activities.
Description
A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Educational Psychology (Guidance and Counseling)
Keywords
Vocational interest