Factors associated with technology stream preferences at GCE A/L in the Western province of Sri Lanka: A Chi-square analysis

The General Certificate of Education (G.C.E) Advanced level (A/L) is the final stage of general education in Sri Lanka. Bio-systems Technology and Engineering Technology are the two subject streams offered under the section of Technology in schools. School census data revealed that student enrollment in Engineering Technology is comparatively higher than in the Bio-systems Technology stream in the Western province. The main objective of the research is to investigate the factors influencing students' decisions to choose between Engineering Technology and Bio-systems Technology streams at the G.C.E. A/L in the Western province of Sri Lanka and to provide suggestions to increase student enrollment in the Technology stream. The research was conducted as descriptive research with a quantitative approach. The sampling procedure was stratified random sampling, and the main data collection instrument was questionnaires. The data collected from 340 students were analyzed using IBM SPSS statistics software. The factors associated with student enrollment into the Technology stream were investigated related to academic performance, motivational factors, and external factors such as school environment, teachers’ support, parental influence, and peer influence in subject stream selection. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, revealed that the factors associated with parental influence, peer pressure, teacher support, and school environment did not influence the student enrollment decision for both subject streams. However, it was identified that gender, academic performance in Ordinary Level (O/L) mathematics, and personal interest in career opportunities and hands-on learning as the primary influencing factors of subject stream choice. Based on these findings the study provides evidence-based recommendations such as conducting gender-focused campaigns, improving collaborations with Industry, organizing career awareness sessions, and investing in practical learning for educational authorities to enhance the attractiveness of the Technology stream.