Effects of Entrepreneurship Education On Entrepreneurship Development: A Case of Vocational Education And Training Authority (Dar Es Salaam Centre)

Rwamtoga, Burchard (2011) Effects of Entrepreneurship Education On Entrepreneurship Development: A Case of Vocational Education And Training Authority (Dar Es Salaam Centre). Masters thesis, The Open University of Tanzania.

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Abstract

This study aimed at exploring the effect of entrepreneurship education on entrepreneurship development. This is because many studies on the area of entrepreneurship education have generally focused on entrepreneurship career and, or on examining the extent to which entrepreneurship education is taught where the effect of entrepreneurship education on entrepreneurship development has not been adequately covered. VETA-Dar es salaam centre which provides vocational training to primary and secondary school graduates has been taken as a base for this study. Several literatures were studied and analyzed and most of these studies directly or indirectly suggested that through learning and getting new knowledge in entrepreneurship development will motivate the students to engage themselves in entrepreneurship activities. Several theories such as the theory of Reasoned Action (Fishbone and Ajzen, 1975) and Social Cognitive Theory gave more light on the topic. Methods used to collect data included questionnaire which were applied to 85 students who represent 32.7% of the 260 students who have already studied entrepreneurship development skills course at Dar es Salaam VETA Centre. Data were analyzed using SPSS 16 and the presentation of the findings was done with regard to the format suggested by Kothari (2004). Findings depicts that entrepreneurship education leads to higher desire for entrepreneurship and affects students perspective on entrepreneurship. The findings also revealed that parents greatly contribute in influencing students opinions on entrepreneurship. Other factors which influence students’ opinions on entrepreneurship include relatives, working colleagues. It was further revealed that self motivation and characteristics are the most options that were identified by many respondents as that which can assist them to become entrepreneurs Finally, in assisting VETA graduates to take up entrepreneurship activities, the study recommends that all educational institutions should establish entrepreneurship education as a core subject for every academic program. It is further recommended that the government should take a leading role in offering both financial and technical support to these institutions as this will strengthen the abilities of the institutions in designing and conducting entrepreneurship education programs which are in line with preparation of students to become entrepreneurs.

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