Factors influencing ICT integration in secondary schools.

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study was aimed at determining the factors influencing Information Communication Technology (ICT) integration in selected Secondary Schools in Mukurwe-ini District. The study was motivated by the rising concerns at the slow pace at which Secondary Schools are embracing ICT. The process of integration is also haphazard and the use of ICT is rudimentary in the few schools that have adopted ICT. This study was guided by four objectives which included determining the effects of economic factors, physical factors, human resources factors and social political factors on ICT integration in the district. A few secondary schools have integrated ICT but the majority of schools are yet to do so. A sample size of nine secondary schools was selected through stratified random sampling in which enrolment was a key consideration. Data was collected using questionnaires. The collected data was analyzed through qualitative and quantitative methods and presented in tables, bar charts and pie charts. Based on the results of the findings, the research concludes that ICT integration was low in Mukurwe-ini District in which economic factors were a major factor for low ICT integration. Physical factors had a moderate influence in ICT integration. In general, the results of this study revealed that social-political, physical, economic and human resources factors influence ICT integration in a greater way. The researcher recommends that there should be an effort to improve the level of human resources skills, especially, through training on ICT skills and the stakeholders and government should attempt to align the social political factors in ways that are conducive for the ease of uptake and integration of I CT.