INFLUENCE OF GENDER AND ENVIRONMENT ON STUDENTS VOCATIONAL CHOICE IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS

ABSTRACT
The study investigated the influence Gender and Environment on students’ vocational choice in Secondary School in Ilorin.
Data were collected from two hundred randomly selected students through Influence Gender and Environment on Students Vocational Choice Questionnaire (FGAEOSVCQ). Data collected were analyzed using frequency counts, percentage and t-test.
The results indicated that there were no significant differences in the factors influence vocational choice of male and female, and students from graduate and non-graduate parents.

However, significant differences were observed on the basis of religions and school size.
Based on the outcome of this findings it is recommended that parents should be adequately educated to allow their children to choose vocational career in accordance with their ability aptitudes and interest.

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background to the study
People are blessed with abilities, personality, traits and other characteristics, Almost every individual at one point in time or another in his/her life makes a decision on the choice of life career.

In democratic societies, man has freedom of choice relative to the kinds of word that are available.
It is important to note that choice and decision relating to career occur not only at the point of entry but throughout the life of the individual.

The decision of life more importantly career decision or choice can be contorted at various stages of life.
This perhaps has reinforces that belief of Denga (1983) that the choice of a vocation is one of the most important and at the same time, most difficult decision in an individuals, life He opined further that work plays an important role in a person’s total life.

This is because the individual social income. Life style, choice of friends and mental and physical well-being are all influence by the type of work/career he/she does.
In Nigeria, an increasingly complex and uncertain job market adds to the difficulty of career decision making.

It is therefore the recognition of the prevailing situation that the vocational guidance and career counseling are being advocated for the school system of the country is also required to spell out in clear terms, the system in the country’s development plan at all levels of education and all tiers of government in line with dictates of such plans, there is always the needs to produce relevant manpower and vocational by the country educational curriculum.

This is with a view to developing a realistic and effective weapons for the accomplishment of natural growth and development.
The critical nature of issues relating education and vocation is born not of the complex natural of education self education should be elaborated and should be geared towards making the individual realties of his environment.
In Nigeria, the seemingly complex system of education has brought with it a deliberate attempt to identify the occupation they could be appropriately elected for further training based on their infest and performance. This leaves the students with problem of choice of career among many vocations.

These problems could be reduced with a good understanding of the factors that affects students choice of vocations and occupations as their career in the future.
Statement of the Problem
Many secondary school students face the problem of vocational choice. According to Adegbite (2003).

Some of them just offered subjects without even knowing their relevance to future aspiration. He also explained that gender and environment of learning have great influence on children career choice.

This is particularly because of cultural importance of the two variables in vocational choice.

Some were forced by parents to choose without consideration to other relevant interest.

This may create problem in later years. This is considered a problem which needs consideration.

Thus, the study investigated Influence Gender and Environment on Students Vocational Choice in Ilorin LGA Kwara State.
Purpose of the Study
The purpose of the study is to investigate factor affecting the vocational choice of secondary school students in Ilorin . It is also to findout if:
1. There is any difference in the influence of gender and environment on the vocational choice of male and female secondary school students in Ilorin.
2. There is any difference in the influence of gender and environment on the vocational choice of Christian and Muslim secondary school students in Ilorin.
3. There is any difference in the influence of gender and environment on the vocational choice of students from graduate and non-graduate parents; and
4. There is any difference in the influence of gender and environment on the vocational choice of students from small and big schools in Ilorin.
Research Questions
The following questions guided the study
1. The gender and environment influence the vocational choice of secondary school students in Ilorin?
2. Is there any difference in the influence of gender and environment on the vocational choice of male and female secondary school students in Ilorin?
3. Is there any difference in the influence of gender and environment on the vocational choice of Christian and Muslim secondary school students in Ilorin?
4. Is there any difference in the influence of gender and environment on the vocational choice of students from graduate and non-graduate parents in Ilorin?
5. Is there any difference in the influence of gender and environment on the vocational choice of student from small and big schools in Ilorin?
Research Hypotheses
The following hypotheses were tested in the study.
1. There is no significant difference in the influence of gender and environment on the vocational choice of male and female secondary school students in Ilorin.
2. There is no significant difference in the influence of gender and environment on the vocational choice of Christian and Muslim secondary school students in Ilorin.
3. There is no significant difference in the influence of gender and environment on the vocational choice of students from graduate and non-graduate parents in Ilorin.
4. There is no significant difference in the influence of gender and environment on the vocational choice of student’ from small and big schools in Ilorin.

Significance of the Study
The study is expected to be useful to students, parents and society at large by providing information regarding the importance of gender and environment on the students in school.

The outcome could provides useful information on how to guide students in the choice of career with attention of the influence of the variables on and how to overcome obstacles with less ease.
Scope and Delimitation of the Study
This study investigated the influence of gender and environment on vocational choice among secondary school students in Ilorin.

The study encompasses factors on gender issues and environment. It is limited to the 200 randomly selected respondents across sex, religions, parental education ad school size.