10th U6+ Consortium of African Universities International Conference

Choosing a career path is a complex and pivotal decision for students. In Kenya, the rollout of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) has repositioned Home Science as a critical learning area, integrating it into Primary school under Agriculture and Nutrition, Junior School under Pre-Technical Studies and offering it as an elective pathway in Senior School. Consequently, this systemic shift has heightened the demand for qualified Home Science educators and professionals across all educational tiers. This study examined the influence of job opportunity availability on career choices within Home Science Education programmes at selected Kenyan universities. Guided by the Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT), the study adopted a convergent parallel mixed-methods design. Research was conducted across Uasin Gishu and Kiambu counties, utilizing purposive sampling to select two universities offering specialized Home Science Education programmes. The study sample comprised 254 undergraduate students and 2 Heads of Departments. Data collection was triangulated using questionnaires, interview schedules, and focus group discussion guides. Quantitative data was analyzed via descriptive statistics and presented through tables and graphs, while qualitative data underwent thematic analysis. The findings revealed that the primary drivers for students selecting Home Science Education were the expanding job market catalyzed by the CBC rollout, strong personal interest in the discipline, and effective institutional guidance and counseling. The study concludes that outcome expectations, specifically immediate job availability linked to CBC implementation, significantly dictate student career choices. Based on these insights, the study recommends that the Ministry of Education, in consultation with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD), and the Commission for University Education (CUE), should: expand the number of universities accredited to offer Home Science Education; increase funding for CBC-aligned teacher training pathways; and robustly strengthen career guidance frameworks in Junior and Senior Schools to illuminate emerging professional opportunities in Home Science.