The Impact of Contextual Factors on Learning of Agricultural Programmes in Technical and Vocational Education Training Colleges, South Africa

Abstract

Contextual factors may influence the learning of agricultural programmes in Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) colleges. This study employed a quantitative approach to explore the impact of contextual factors on learning agricultural programmes in TVET colleges in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. The study surveyed 240 students from three TVET colleges. Purposive sampling was used to select the TVET colleges that offer agricultural programmes. Data was collected through a questionnaire to understand the impact of contextual factors on the students learning agricultural programmes. Data was analysed using Microsoft Excel 2016 and was presented in the form of a table. Based on Mitzel’s (1969) model, the impact of the contextual factors will help to guide TVET colleges when recruiting agriculture students. The results of the study indicated that contextual factors such as the student's prior experience, knowledge, skills, and personality traits have an impact on the learning of agricultural programmes in TVET colleges. The study recommends that upon recruiting TVET students, contextual factors such as prior knowledge and skills, prior experience as well as personality traits should be tested.