Application of information communication technology in school administration in public secondary schools in Lang’ata Division, Nairobi County, Kenya

Abstract

This study intended to examine the application of Information Communication Technology in school administration in selected public secondary schools in Lang’ata Division, Nairobi County. The objectives of the study sought to examine: the extent to which school administrators apply Information Communication Technology in human resources administration, the application of Information Communication Technology in administration of physical resources, the extent to which school administrators apply Information Communication Technology in financial administration, challenges facing administrators in application of ICT in school administration and the measures that can be taken to improve the application of ICT. A survey research design was used in the study. The target population of this study was four hundred and thirty (N=430). Simple random sampling and purposive sampling procedures were used to arrive at the sample (Students, computer teachers, and the school administrator (principal). In total the sample size was one hundred and thirty (n=130). However, from the analysis, one hundred and six of them participated in the study. Questionnaires were used to collect data from the students whereas interview guides were used for the teachers and school administrators. The collected data was analysed using descriptive statistics, employing both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Data from questionnaires were purely analysed quantitatively, and presented in frequencies and percentages while those collected through the interview method was analysed qualitatively. They were synthesized to a presentable data and the key points emerging were reported in narrative form based on the key study themes. From the analysis, the following conclusions were made: most of the public secondary schools in Lang’ata have embraced Information Communication Technology in the administration of human resources for instance in monitoring attendances, performance, staff training and recruiting of the staff. In terms of the administration of physical resources, Information Communication Technology has been limited only to the monitoring of classroom facilities, advertisement of tenders, monitoring lab facilities and stationeries. For financial administration process, most schools are limited in terms of the ICT application. This is mainly because they only apply it in the collection of school fees and salary payment. However, the effectiveness of ICT application in executing administration roles in public schools in Lang’ata have been hindered by various issues such as lack of facilities, poor training among key stakeholders, financial constraints and insecurity due to no security checkup software for the computers and power outages. These challenges have hindered 100% effective application of ICT by the school administrators in the school administration. As such, the following recommendations were given: the school administration in collaboration with the government and any other stakeholders should join hands and see into it that programs are started and implemented which will see that the school members are provided with adequate training on the effectiveness and appropriate techniques on how they can utilize ICT in executing administration roles and duties. Moreover, parents, the government and school administration should also work hand in hand to ensure that schools are equipped with not only adequate but also up-to-date Information Communication Technology facilities.