ADAPTABILITY OF FACILITIES APPLIED IN COMPETENCE BASED EDUCATION AND TRAINING ON THE ACQUISITION OF EMPLOYABLE SKILLS AMONG VISUALLY IMPAIRED LEARNERS IN TVET INSTITUTIONS IN KENYA

Abstract

The main purpose of this research was to establish the adaptability of facilities applied in CBET implementation on the acquisition of employable skills among visually impaired learners in TVET institutions in Kenya.The study applied a mixed methods research design.The study targeted 2 principals, 20 heads of departments,70 trainers, 150 visually impaired graduates of Machakos Technical Institute for the Blind and Sikri Technical Training Institute for Deaf-Blind, 2 Ministry of Education officials in charge of TVET, Curriculum Development Accreditation and Certification Council officials, 3 Ministry of Labour officials, 10 members of civil society groups and 5 managers of industries. Data was collected using questionnaires, interview schedules, and focused group discussion guide and observation checklists. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics while qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis.The study found that the utilization of available facilities by the visually impaired learners was overstretched, that quite a large number of visually impaired graduates had been exposed to technology shock in the job markets and that the adaptability of facilities used in CBET implementation positively and significantly influenced the acquisition of employable skills among the visually impaired learners in TVET institutions in Kenya. Based on the findings of the study, the study concluded that the adaptability of facilities used in CBET implementation was a key determinant of the acquisition of employable skills among these learners and that most facilities within the institutes were not adequately adapted to the needs of the visually impaired learners.