Curriculum Content Relevancy in Integration of ICTs in Kenya TVET Institutions in Readiness to Industry Needs

The development of curricula content and their implementation is one of the key competences of instructors in the area of educational planning and practical training for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions in Kenya. While much attention is being given to the development technologies that drive ICT integration in TVET, one of the most critical issues remains the curriculum content. The TVET sub-sector continues to be challenged by inflexible and outdated TVET curriculum, Mismatch between the skills learned and the skills demanded by industries, inadequate mechanism for quality assurance, Low participation of private sector in the curriculum design and development. The objective of the study was to evaluate the relevancy of the curricula content in achieving integration of ICTs in TVET institutions in Kenya with specific reference to Michuki and Thika Technical Training Institute in Murang’a and Kiambu County respectively. The research adopted quantitative research approach and use probability sampling which is commonly associated with Survey-based research. The study’s main data collection tool was a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics was used, correlation and regression analysis to test the relationship and strength of association between curriculum content and integration of ICTs in Kenya TVET. From regression analysis, since the p-value is 0, the relationship between effectively integration and Curriculum Content is significant, the correlation coefficient, R, is 0.776. Therefore, Effective Integration is positively correlated with Curriculum Content and the relationship is very strong. The study recommended that; ICT should be integrated in curriculum courses available in TVET institutions in Kenya. TVET Authority and Kenya Institute of curriculum development (KICD) with involvement of stakeholders should promote access and relevance of TVET training courses. The review should be within the framework of the overall national socio-economic development plans and policies that reflects the needs of industry and the labor market.


Introduction
The development of curricula and their implementation is one of the key competences of instructor in the area of educational planning and practical training for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions and industry [1]. According to [2], the TVET sub-sector continues to be challenged by inflexible and outdated TVET curriculum content, Mismatch between the skills learned and the skills demanded by industries, inadequate mechanism for quality assurance, Low participation of private sector in the curriculum design and development. While much attention is being given to the development technologies that drive ICT integration in TVET, one of the most critical issues remains the curriculum content.
The most pressing challenge to the effective integration of ICTs in TVET according to [3] is curriculum content. [4] also noted that current impediment to the further growth and diffusion of more advanced systems in all parts of the world is the unavailability of relevant, well-designed instructional content particularly in the TVET education subsector. [5] Argued that TVET institutions need to restructure their programmes to be responsive to the needs of the job market, especially the industry. To achieve this goal, TVET curricula must focus on outcomes in terms of the skills, knowledge and attitudes required industry. [6] Revealed that both formal and non-formal TVET lacked an effective linkage between training and the world of work especially in the ICT Sector, because of its lack of coherent mode, practical skills training which does not produce the requisite skills for the job market. The main curriculum for TVET education in Kenya is developed by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD). The function of KICD include implementation of the policies relating to curriculum development in basic and tertiary education and training, Develop, review and approve programmes, curricula and curriculum support materials that meet international standards for TVET subsector among others [7].
In Kenya, the professional national certification bodies such as the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC); Kenya Accountants and Secretaries National Examinations Board (KASNEB) are Involved in the assessment and certification. Challenges are factors that hinder integration of ICTs in teaching and learning activities in various subjects in TVETs or any condition that makes it difficult to progress or integrate ICT by instructors in the classroom [8]. Various scholars classify challenges into extrinsic and intrinsic categories. Extrinsic challenges are first order challenges that include access, time, support, resources and training. Intrinsic are second order challenges and include attitudes, beliefs, practices and resistance [9]. Challenges range from instructor-level to institutional level [8]. According to BECTA, instructor level challenges include lack of time, lack of confidence, lack of competence and resistance to change. Institution level challenges include lack of effective training, lack of access to resource, time, and technical support among others. [10] Cited that the current TVET curriculum in Kenya is weak and not flexible enough to meet the technological changes and diverse needs of different clients. [11] Noted that the quality of TVET graduates has declined in recent years due to poor instructional methods, outmoded/inadequate training equipment and lack of meaningful work experience and supervision during attachment. The graduates of TVET have experienced technology shock when they finally enter the industry due to The lack of ICT focus in the curriculum and does not provide standards or guidelines for ICT usage in course delivery thus has resulted in fragmented efforts in the use of ICT for instruction thus formed the basis of this research.
The Research objectives The objective of the study was to evaluate the relevancy of the curriculum content in achieving integration of ICTs in TVET institutions in Kenya in readiness to industry needs.
The study was guided by the following specific objectives: i. To determine the Relevance of ICT content in the curriculum to the courses ii. To evaluate the curriculum content linkage between training and the world of work iii. To Evaluate the Extent ICT has been integrated into the educational and learning processes iv. To find out Teachers Incorporation of ICTs in their instruction and curricula v. To demine the relationship between curriculum content and Effective Integration of ICTs in TVET in Kenya

Research Methodology
The study adopted quantitative approach and crosssectional Survey Research design. Research design is carried out at a just one point in time and popularly used in education [12]. The study was confined to Michuki Technical Training institute in Murang'a County and Thika Technical Training Institute in Kiambu County. Both Technical Training Institute operates under the Education Act and TVETA as stipulated in the laws of Kenya.
The study sample was drawn from a population of 195 consisting of Management staff, which include Board of Management and Principal. Administrative staff include Deputy Principal, Head of Departments, Head of Sections and Administration Assistant, teaching staff and technical staff The data was collected using structured questionnaire properly formatted with both open ended and closed questions adopting a five-point Likert scale with a view to uniformed information [13, 12 and 14].
To get sample size from the target population Taro Yamane simplified formula was adopted, it provided a simplified formula to calculate sample size. It's a random sampling technique formula to estimate sampling size and is used to calculate the sample size (n) given the population size (N) and a margin of error (ε) at 95 percent confidence level [18]. The sample size of 150 respondents was represented as follows; 13 Management staff, 20 Administrative staff, 106 Teaching staff and 11 Technical staff

The Relevance of ICT Content in the Curriculum to the Courses
The study sought to find out The ICT content in the curriculum is relevant to the course available in selected TVET institution in Kiambu and Murang'a County, Kenya. The study findings from table 1 revealed that 21 (18.6%) of the respondents were in support that the ICT content in the curriculum is relevant to the course available in the institution. This can be inferred that the respondents are Computer specific courses in the ICT departments were the ICT contents in the curriculum is relevant to the courses. [15] argued that in Kenya and globally the use of ICT in TVET institutions is for tutoring in computer science and computer literacy.
Further the findings revealed that 68.2% of the respondents were in agreement with [15] that The ICT content in the curriculum is not relevant to the course available in the institution. This can be concluded that the TVET curriculum content has not been reviewed thus outdated which doesn't incorporate new emerging technologies such ICT's. The curricula developers need to continuously restructure their courses to be responsive to the needs of emerging technologies that will match graduate skills with the fast ever changing industry needs

ICT Integration in TVET Curriculum
The study sought to find out if ICT has been integrated in curriculum courses available in selected TVET institution in Kiambu and Murang'a County, Kenya. From The results from table 2, 84.1% of the respondents indicated that ICT has not been integrated in curriculum courses available in their respective institutions. This can be inferred that the curriculum developers have not integrated ICT into the courses offered by the TVET institution.
[10] concurred with findings that ICT is widely taught as a subject in a majority of the institutions however the curriculum does not provide standards or guidelines for ICT usage in course delivery, the focus is on the techno-centric skills and basic ICT literacy. While 11.5% of the respondent are in favor that ICT has been integrated into the curriculum course it can be inferred that this respondents were instructor who instruct ICT specific curriculum or computer based courses.

ICT has been Integrated into the Educational and Learning Processes
The study sought to find out ICT has been integrated into the educational and learning processes in the institution in selected TVET institution in Kiambu and Murang'a County, Kenya. Table 3. ICT has been integrated into the educational and learning processes. From the findings of table 3 shows that 80 (70.8%) of the respondent indicated that ICT has not been integrated into the educational and learning process in the institutions, while 22 (19.5%) agreed 11 (9.7%) were undecided. This can be deduced that the institution have not fully integrated into educational and learning process. This can be attributed by the fact that instructors from their previous technical training institutions teachers have not been trained on the new pedagogical skills to take full advantage of ICTs to enhance educational and learning process. Also it can be deduced that those who have implemented ICTs in teaching and learning are staff for ICTs Department who teach ICT related courses.

ICT has been integrated into the educational and learning processes
[16] Argued that there is low level of ICT integration into the educational and learning processes in the TVET and is attributed to the fact that teachers lack skills or experience challenge to integrate ICT into classroom teaching. Lack of technical support in ICT integration, lack of dedicated time, lack of confidence, lack of competence and resistance to change in education could be other challenge to many instructor [8]. in Kenya TVET Institutions in Readiness to Industry Needs

Instructors have Incorporated ICTs in Their Instruction and Curricula
The study sought to find out instructor have incorporated ICTs in their instruction and curricula in the institution in selected TVET institution in Kiambu and Murang'a County, Kenya. The findings from table 4 established a dismal 34.5% of the respondents have incorporated ICTs in their instruction and curricula in classroom, workshop and laboratories. [16] Was in agreement with the findings that ICTs are currently being used widely to aid education in many developing countries, and it appears that there is increasing demand for their use in education by policymakers and parents in developing countries.
However 51.3% of the respondent indicated that instructors have not incorporated ICTs in their instruction and curricula in classroom, workshop and laboratories. This can be attributed to the fact that instructors lack skills, lack of time to train, lack of confidence, lack of competence and resistance to change to integrate ICT into classroom teaching as supported by [16] [8]. This can also be deduced that the specific institutions management have not embraced information and communication technologies in their institution that aid tutors to use this technologies.

The Current Curriculum Is Inflexible and Out Dated
The study sought to find out the current curriculum content is inflexible and out dated to meet the ICT technological changes in selected TVET institution in Kiambu and Murang'a County, Kenya. The results from table 5 revealed that 74.4.% of the respondent indicated that the current curriculum is inflexible and out dated to meet the ICT technological changes. This can be deduced that the curriculum developer and policy makers have not updated the curriculum to match with the fast ICT technological changes especially in non ICT courses. In Support [2] and [10] confirmed that the TVET sub-sector in Kenya continues to be challenged by Inflexible, outdated and weak TVET curriculum, Mismatch between the skills learned and the skills demanded by industries, inadequate mechanism for quality assurance, Low participation of private sector in the curriculum design and development.
Using outdated curriculum is a failure by the government to set strategies that would link education and training to specific growth paths and prioritizing skills and proficiencies that would lead to a more competitive edge. Such strategies have been used to create newly industrialized countries like Korea and Japan [17].
The current curriculum is neither inflexible or out dated to meet the ICT technological changes as supported by 19.5% of the respondent. This can be inferred that most probably this are ICT based and relatively new courses thus the curriculum might have incorporated the current ICTs.

Linkage Between Training and the World of Work
The study sought to find out whether the curriculum content lacks an effective linkage between training and the world of work especially in the ICT Sector in selected TVET institution in Kiambu and Murang'a County, Kenya. From the findings 83.1% of the respondent confirmed that The TVET curriculum content lacks an effective linkage between training and the world of work especially in the ICT Sector. This can be attributed due to inflexible and outdated curriculum used by teachers and learners in the institution and also that the curriculum developer don't console the industry stakeholders in curriculum developer.
Studies by [6] supported the findings that both formal and non-formal TVET lacked an effective linkage between training and the world of work especially in the ICT Sector. [16] Further noted that because of its lack of coherent mode, practical skills training which does not produce the requisite skills for the job market. It can also be inferred that the 8.8% of the respondent who had the opinion that The TVET content and curriculum has an effective linkage between training and the world of work especially in the ICT Sector are those who are in the ICT department and their course is relatively new in the market. [5] Proposed that TVET institutions need to restructure their courses to be responsive to the needs of the job market, especially the industry. To achieve this goal, TVET curricula must focus on outcomes in terms of the skills, knowledge and attitudes required industry. That is, TVET provision should be responsive to the demands of industry.

The Digitalization of Curriculum and Content
The study sought to find out that the current curriculum content exist in digital format in the selected TVET institution in Kiambu and Murang'a County, Kenya. From the finding in table 7, 6.2% of the respondent revealed that the current curriculum content exist in digital format (soft copy). Further it clearly shows that the current curriculum and Content doesn't exist in digital format as indicated by 88.5% of the respondents this can be inferred that the curriculum developer and policy makers have not digitalized the curriculum to be used in teaching and learning in TVET institution this was confirmed [18] on the Digitalization of the curriculum at different levels of education to enhance e-teaching and e-learning this includes TVET curricula.

The Access and Use of E-Resources
The study sought to find out that the institution have access and use E-Resources including E-books, E-journals in the Library in selected TVET institution in Kiambu and Murang'a County, Kenya. The findings in table 8 above 85.6% of the respondent indicated that the institution don't have access and use E-Resources including E-books, E-journals in the Library for the courses offered. This can be deduced that the institutions have not subscribed to the Educational online E-Resources, E-journals and E-Library and that institutional management are reluctant to allocate adequate funds or are skeptical on the new technologies.

Effect of Curriculum Content on Effective Integration of ICTs in TVET in Kenya
The study sought to establish the relationship between curriculum content and Integration of ICTs by using simple regression. This table 9 provides the Pearson's R and R 2 value. The R value is 0.776, which represents a high degree of correlation. The R 2 value indicates how much of the dependent variable Effectively Integration can be explained by the independent variable, content and curriculum. In this case, R 2 = 0.602 which means that 60.2% of the variation in effective integration of ICT is explained by the variation of in content and curriculum. The ANOVA table 10 indicates that the regression model predicts the outcome variable significantly well. This indicates the statistical significance of the regression model that was applied since p<0.00, which is less than 0.05, and indicates that, overall, the model applied can statistically significantly predict the outcome variable. The

Conclusion
The results revealed that ICT has not been integrated in curriculum and it's not relevant courses available in the institutions. The current curriculum is inflexible and out dated to meet the ICT technological changes and lacks effective linkage between training and the world of work especially in the ICT Sector. Also it can be concluded that the current curriculum content doesn't exist in digital format and institution don't have access and use E-Resources including E-books, E-journals in the Library for the course offered. This can be deduced that the institutions have not subscribed to the Educational online E-Resources, E-journals and E-Library.
From regression analysis, since the p-value is 0, the relationship between effectively integration and Curriculum Content is significant, the correlation coefficient, R, is 0.776. Therefore, Effective Integration is positively correlated with Curriculum Content and the relationship is very strong.

Recommendation
The Kenya TVET authority in conjunction with KICD to Revise TVET curriculum and content so that it reflects the technological needs of industry and the labor market. This can be done by Ensuring that TVET offers ICT competence based skills that reflects needed in the informal sector labor market, and in particular that it contributes to the increased productivity and earnings of this important sector in the Kenyan economy. The Government should endeavor Involvement of ICT stakeholders in the development of a national skills training strategy for the TVETs. The establishment of mechanisms and appropriate incentives to promote private sector investments in the development of TVET for increased access and also Digitalization of the curriculum and learning material at different levels of education to enhance e-teaching and elearning this includes TVET curricula.