Abstract
This study focuses on factors influencing students' choice of Business Education programme in public universities in Edo State. Four research questions were raised to guide the study. This research adopted descriptive survey design, The population for this study consists of 416 full time student in 100 level to 400 level Business Education, in the Department of Vocational and Technical Education, Faculty of Education, university of Benin, Benin City. A sample size of 200 students were purposively selected for the purpose of this study.
The research instrument used to collect data for the study was a structured questionnaire and responses from the respondents were based on factors such as Socio Economic Status of parents, peer group influence, parental attitude and students’ interest. The instrument was validated by the researcher’s supervisor and two other experts in the Department of Vocational and Technical Education, Faculty of Education, University of Benin, Benin City. To ascertain the internal consistency of the item of the questionnaires, the instrument was administered to 20 students in the Department of curriculum and instructional technology (CIT), who were not part of the study but are of the same characteristics. The data collected was analyzed using the cronbach alpha statistics which yielded a result of 0.84 implying that the instrument is highly reliable. The questionnaire was administered by the researcher with the help of 2 research assistants. Mean and standard deviation were the statistical tools employed for the analysis of data collected with the questionnaire.
The findings indicate that Socio Economic Status of parents, peer group , students interest and parental attitude influences students’ choice of business education programme in public universities in Edo State. Based on the findings, it was recommended among other that parents should desist from compelling their children in taking up those occupations that they do not possess the required capacities, talents, interests and aptitudes. Also, university administrators should strengthen the guidance and counselling service in universities to encourage career exploration and informed decisions by students.
