Examining the Role of Stakeholders’ Engagement on Students’ Enrolment in Technical and Vocational Education and Training Institutions

This study examined the relationship between stakeholder participation and student enrolment in Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions in Gulu City, Uganda. Using a cross-sectional design, data were collected through questionnaires and interviews to assess stakeholder involvement, enrolment rates, and the influence of participation on institutional outcomes. Findings revealed that stakeholder engagement in monitoring, evaluation, and coordination significantly enhances enrolment, program relevance, and institutional performance, though planning was the weakest area, characterised by limited strategic alignment and inadequate data use. While government policies, economic factors, and community involvement influenced enrolment, infrastructure, gender policies, costs, and stigma were less decisive. Management practices, including Management by Objectives (MBO) and Result-Oriented Management (ROM), showed mixed effectiveness, with gaps in funding, staff capacity, and governance limiting their impact. Statistical analysis demonstrated a strong positive relationship between stakeholder participation and enrolment (r = 0.624, p < 0.01), highlighting the importance of meaningful engagement in enhancing institutional attractiveness and responsiveness to labour market needs. The study concludes that structured stakeholder participation is a critical driver of program quality, relevance, and enrolment, and recommends strengthening participatory frameworks, institutionalising data-driven decision-making, increasing industry representation, and building managerial capacity to improve TVET performance and enrolment outcomes