INTRINSIC AND EXTRINSIC FACTORS AS PREDICTORS OF CHOICE OF EDUCATION PROGRAMMES AMONG UNDERGRADUATES IN ORO, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examined the intrinsic and extrinsic factors that predicts choice of education programmes among undergraduates in Oro, Nigeria. Employing a descriptive research of the survey type, 283 undergraduates were randomly selected to participate. Data was collected through a researcher-designed questionnaire with a reliability coefficient of 0.78, and analyzed using mean and standard deviation. The findings revealed that among various factors, undergraduates’ perception of education as a last option exerted the greatest influence (M = 3.08, SD = 1.09). Furthermore, intrinsic factors such as intelligence, interest, ability/performance, and motivation played significant roles in influencing undergraduates’ choice of education programmes, with interest being the most influential factor (M = 2.68, SD = 0.48). Additionally, among the extrinsic factors examined, parental influence emerged as the most significant (M = 2.52, SD = 0.85). Consequently, the study concludes that undergraduates’ choice of education programmes is shaped by a complex interplay between intrinsic and extrinsic factors. It is recommended that efforts should be made to enhance the status of teachers to mitigate the perception of education programmes as a last resort among undergraduates.