Assessment of the Preparedness for Self-Employment among Agricultural Education Students in Colleges of Education in Kogi State

Abstract

The study was designed to assess the extent of preparedness for self-employment among Agricultural Education students in Colleges of Education in Kogi state. Three specific objectives and research questions guided the study. Descriptive survey design was adopted and the population for the study was 112 students consisting of 62 agricultural education students in federal and 50 agricultural education from the student’s state colleges of education in Kogi State out of which 66 students were sampled using simple random sampling technique. The instrument data collection was Assessment of the Preparedness for Self-Employment among Agricultural Education Students (APSEAES). Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics precisely mean and standard deviation to answer research questions. The findings revealed that Agricultural Education Students in Colleges of Education are not adequately prepared for self-employment and some factors that hindered preparation for self-employment among Agricultural Education Students in Colleges of Education in Kogi State. Base on the findings it was concluded that the preparation for self-employment among agricultural education students in colleges of education is currently inadequate, as most students have limited exposure to real-life agricultural practices recommended among others that a holistic approach involving curriculum reform, practical exposure, mentorship, financial support and government policy backing be adopted to address inadequate preparation for self-employment among Agricultural Education Students in Colleges of Education.