A study examined the status of industrial education (IE) subjects in 35 Kenyan academic secondary schools, the aspiration of students, and their destination after leaving the lower stage of the secondary system. Data sources were documentation, examination results, interviews with Kenyan and Swedish International Development Authority officials, observation of workshops during visits to IE schools, and surveys. Staff did not perceive IE as a "soft option" (easy to pass) or as being more suited for academically weak students. IE examination results were, however, on the average poorer than the results in English and mathematics. IE did attract students who do well in mathematics. Findings also showed that IE teachers are slightly more satisfied than their academic colleagues. Students who had experienced IE had a positive view of these subjects and exhibited great interest in continuing their education and in entering occupations of a technical/practical kind. One year after the "O" Levels examination, negligible differences in main activity (further education, employment, etc.) were found among ex-students with varying degrees of exposure to IE. (YLB)