An assessment of the barriers to successful integration of ICTs in public tertiary technical training institutes (a survey of tertiary technical institutes in Nyeri County)

Abstract

The development of modem society is increasingly science and technology-based powered and driven, and more focus is being placed on technical and vocational education and training (TVET) programs. Use of Information and Communication Technologies (lCTs) in the learning-teaching process makes learning more effective. The best way to take advantage of ICT is its integration into the learning-teaching process. This study sought to identify barriers to successful integration of ICTs in tertiary technical training institutes in Kenya in regard to enhanced service delivery of the human resource. The study was conducted in two public tertiary technical institutes in Nyeri County namely Nyeri Technical Training Institute and Mathenge Technical Institute. The objectives of the study were to ascertain the effects of computer culture, assess the effects of communication infrastructure, establish the effects of knowledge and skills, and ascertain the effects of resistance to change on ICTs integration in TVETs. The study adopted descriptive research design. The study targeted 200 respondents who are administrators, Heads of Departments, ICT specialists and Trainers where the population was sampled through proportionate stratified random sampling and a sample size of 99 was obtained. The researcher used a structured questionnaire for data collection and data was analyzed using descriptive analysis and content analysis and presented using frequency tables, charts and bar graphs. The study found that all the four variables used in the study had a significant influence on the success or failure of ICTs integration to varying degrees in public tertiary technical institutes in Nyeri county. Telecommunication Infrastructure barrier had the highest effect (77.0%) on leTs integration. Knowledge and skills as a barrier was also found to have a high effect (73.9%) on successful ICTs integration. In addition, Resistance to change had a significant effect (70.8%) on integration whereas Computer culture as a barrier had the least effect (58.6%) on ICTs integration compared to other variables. The study recommends that proper and adequate training, funding, improved ICT infrastructure and sensitization of the policy strategies and of the benefits will improve integration of ICTs in public TTIs. Further it recommends that integration should be done in a transparent manner to eliminate suspicion. That, employees should be well trained and inducted on their job placement to minimize on user intimidation and device complexities. They should also be encouraged and enlightened on overall importance of ICTs integration to help remove fear of job loss and eliminate the resistance to Change on technological dynamism.