The purpose of this study was to establish the factors that inform students’ choice of CRE in public secondary schools in Sigomre Zone, Ugunja Sub-County, Siaya County. The study was guided by these objectives: To establish the influence of student’s future career aspirations on the choice of CRE among students in Sigomre Zone Ugunja Sub-County, Siaya County; To determine the role of personal interest in the choice of CRE among students in Sigomre Zone Ugunja Sub-County, Siaya County; To investigate the role of career guidance in influencing them choose CRE in Sigomre Zone Ugunja Sub-County, Siaya County. The study was grounded on Edward Deci and Richard Ryan self-determination theory. The study employed the descriptive survey design. The target population was 349 from where a sample of 110 was drawn. The sampling methods comprised of stratified, purposive and simple random methods. Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data while Statistical Programme for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25 was used to get descriptive statistics.
The study established that most students who selected CRE would like to be CRE teachers in future, and therefore future career aspirations motivated them to select CRE. Most of them believed that CRE offered them the best opportunity to get a job in future, as they perceived that there were many careers in CRE related areas which enticed them to select CRE. The study further noted that most students selected CRE voluntarily due to some internal influences as it was their best choice, they liked it and therefore were not influenced by their peers. It also established that Career Guidance was instrumental in motivating most students to select CRE. The study recommends that the government and schools concerned should ensure that the career guidance departments are in place and functional to ensure that students are guided appropriately in the selection of subjects such as CRE.