Causes of low enrolment in ICT-related courses : a case of TVET colleges in the North West province of South Africa

Abstract

As technology develops at a hastening pace, the extent of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills shortage is made more profound. This study investigated the causes of low enrolment in ICT-related courses in South African TVET colleges. The literature reviewed on the phenomenon laid a framework for exploring factors that contribute to students from resource constrained environments not to enrol for ICT-related careers. The research approach utilised for this study is quantitative. Data was collected from the surveyed sample of students from two TVET college campuses within the North West province. Using a cross-sectional survey, data from 95 respondents was collected and analysed. The main cause identified is: Not having an ICT subject offered at secondary school. The secondary factors that emerged as causes of low enrolment in ICT-related courses were: discomfort with prior computer usage, lack of prior exposure to technological devices, inflated outcome expectations, personal goals, career-related interests, insufficient contribution by key stakeholders, and poor performance in gateway subjects. The major findings from this research study provide some insight into solving the problem of low student enrolment in ICT-related courses and contribute to the existing literature on the phenomenon of low ICT student enrolment in TVET colleges.