Attitude Of Secondary School Students In Abia State Towards Career In Agriculture

ABSTRACT

The study surveyed the attitude of secondary school students in Abia State, toward a career in Agriculture. The specific objectives were to describe the socio economic profile of participant, influences on career decisions, orientations after leaving school, level of encouragement to pursue a career in Agriculture (farming), Rating their attitude towards farming/agriculture. The sample population is 120 respondents. A purposive and simple random techniques was used. Interview and questionnaire were used in data collection. Major findings showed that the majority of the students were in the age group of 16-18 years, 89% student were female, 49°/a male. The respondents background were rural (fanning) and most of student's parent engaged more in farming. 74% were influenced by their parent, on career decision, 28% of respondents were to pursue a non-agricultural related university degree, 36% of respondents were having negative attitude towards fanning/agriculture and 70% were having positive attitude towards farming/agriculture. Most affecting problems of the students were lack of sponsors, lack of agriculture teachers, lack of guardian counselors, lack of equipment and land. It was recomniended that government and nongovernmental organizations could work together to provide agricultural teachers and guardian counselors in various schools especially those in rural schools.