Principal’s Computer Application Skills as a Determinant of Computer Use in Administration of Public Secondary Schools in Kiambu County, Kenya
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47941/jep.241Keywords:
Computer Use, Public School Administration, Computer Skills.Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to establish the relationship that existed between principals’ computer application skills and computer use in administration of public secondary schools in Kiambu County. Computer use in schools administration is a contemporary issue in the improvement of quality leadership in schools. The study was triggered by the need for effective leadership in schools which would lead to improved academic performance in Kiambu County.
Methodology: The study adopted descriptive survey research design. The target population for this study was all the 307 principals of public secondary schools in Kiambu County. The study sample comprised of 205 principals which translated to 67% of the target population. Simple random and purposive sampling techniques were used in the selection of the respondents. A questionnaire was used for data collection. Relationship between the two variables under study was established by use of spearman rho. Pearson’s Chi- square test of independence with the help of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to test the null hypotheses.
Findings: The study found out that principals’ possession of computer skills influenced the use of computers among school principals.
Unique contribution to the theory, practice and policy: The study recommended provision of computer skill courses relevant to administration work, and ICT technical support to advise school principals on usage and maintenance of computers and review of both teacher preparation and staff development programs to ensure that universities and Teacher Training Colleges provide pre-service and in-service training programs to enable school principals to successfully use computers carrying out administrative tasks. The study further recommended that the government should develop a policy framework for training all educators/education officers on computers and ICT applications in Schools.
Downloads
References
Abu, S. (2010).Computer Use by Secondary School Principals. The Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology; July 2010, volume 9 Issue 3.
Adeya, C.N. and Cogburn, D. (1999).Globalization and the Information Economy: Challenges and Opportunities for Africa. Adis Ababa. UNCA.
Aduwa-Ogiegbaen, S.E., &Iyam, E.O.S. (2005). “Using Information and Communication
Technology in Secondary Schools in Nigeria: Problems and Prospects.” A journal of Education Technology and Society, 8(1), 104-112
Angie, O. and Rita, N.U(2013). The Place of ICT (Information and Communication Technology) in the Administration of Secondary Schools in South Eastern States of Nigeria, US-China Education Review A, ISSN 2161-623X April 2013, Vol. 3, No. 4, 231-238
Carmen, P. (2013). The Use of Computers in School Administration; http://www.ehow.com, facts-6836922-network-systems-administration
Communication Commission of Kenya (2011) Kenya Internet and Mobile Phone Usage Report: Publications and Research. Retrieved from http://www.cck.go.ke
Chepkonga S (2015) An Investigation of the Relationship of ICT Training of Principals
in ICT integration in Management Public Secondary Schools: A case of Nairobi County, Kenya; online research paper www.iiste.org ISSN 2222-1735 (Paper) ISSN 2222-288X (Online) Vol.6, No.18,
Coleman (2003) Gender and School Leadership: The experience of women and men secondary principals; Paper presented at UNITEC, Auckland,
Derar S. (2007). School Principals' Attitudes towards the Use of Technology: United Arab Emirates Technology Workshop the Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology – Tojet April 2007 ISSN: 1303-6521 Volume 6 Issue 2 Article 5; Arizona State University
Farrel, G. (2007). The Kenya ICT Survey Document. Retrieved July 2011 from http:// www.inforDev.org.
Field Research Corporation. (1995, December). Tenth planet teachers and technology survey. Available FTP: Hostname: tenthplanet.com Directory: Company/news/ 95 survey /summary.html
Gakuu C M. and Kidombo H.J. Closing the Chasm: Are Secondary School Teachers in Kenya Using ICTs Effectively To Deliver Curriculum Content? School of Continuing and Distance Education, University Of Nairobi.
Kipng’etich, K. and Ahmed, O. (2012) Headteachers’ Perception of Their Roles in Secondary Schools in Kenya: A Study of Kericho Day Secondary School in Kericho County.(International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Vol. 2 No. 23; December 2012
Kiptalam, G.K Accessibility and Utilization of ICTs among Secondary School Teachers In Kenya Aga Khan University, Kenya,george.kiptalam@aku.edu, Rodrigues, A.J
Kamau, G.K. (2012). Constraints in the Use of ICT in Teaching-Learning Process in
Secondary Schools in Nyandarua south District in Kenya. Kenyatta University. Unpublished Masters of Education Project report.
Kanyeki, W.M. (2006). An Investigation into the Use and Impact of Information
Technology in Management of Public Secondary Schools in Nairobi Province. Kenyatta University. Unpublished Masters of Education Project report
Krejcie, R. & Morgan, D. (1970).Determining Sample Size for Research Activities. Educational and Psychological Measurement. Pp 607-610.
Lange, D. (1988). Tomorrow’s Schools: The reform of Education Administration in New Zealand. Wellington: The Government Printer.
Makhanu E.S (2010) Principals Literacy in Information and Communication Technology
(ICT): Towards Improving Secondary School Performance in Kenya; PhD thesis presented to the University of South Africa.
Menjo, K. M. &Boit M. J. (2005).“Challenges of using Information Communication Technology (ICT) in School Administration in Kenya,” Unpublished Paper. Moi University, Eldoret.
Momanyi, C., Ocharo, Nyakweba, I and Momanyi, G., (2015).Challenges Facing Computers’ Implementation on Administration Use in Public Secondary Schools in Nyamira North District, Nyamira County- Kenya.International Journal of Novel Research in Education and Learning Vol. 2, Issue 1, Available at: www.noveltyjournals.com
Muchiri, G.M. (2014) Factors Influencing School Principals’ Integration of ICT In
Administration of Public Secondary Schools In Githunguri Sub County, Kiambu County, Kenya, un published project report ;University of Nairobi
Mugenda, O.M and Mugenda, A.G (1999) Research Methods: Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches, Nairobi, ACTS Press.
Mukima, (2013). The Role Effectiveness of the Board of Governors and Parents Teachers Association in Management of Public Secondary Schools: A Case of Thika, Ruiru Division, Thika District, Kiambu County, Kenya. http://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6407
Muturi and Gathenya (2013) ICT Integration by Kenyan High School Teachers Under the Government Sponsored Project in Thika West-Kenya: A Literature Review; Proceedings of 1st JKUAT-SHRD Research Conference 12th and 13th September 2013, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology
Muriko G. L (2015) Factors Affecting Utilization of ICT in Administration of Public
Secondary Schools in Kiambu sub-county, Kiambu County, Kenya. Unpublished project report, Kenyatta University
Mumbua, V. (2009). An Assessment of the Utilization of ICT on School Administration
in Public Secondary schools in Kilungu, Makueni District. Kenyatta University. Unpublished project report , Kenyatta university
Orodho, J.A (2005) Techniques of Writing Research Proposals and Reports in Education and Social sciences (2010 Edition) Nairobi Kanezja Hp Enterprises.
Republic of Kenya (2012) Ministry of Education and Ministry Of Higher Education, Science & Technology Sessional Paper No. 14 of 2012 on Reforming Education and Training Sectors in Kenya
Republic of Kenya (2012) The Teachers Service Commission Act, 2012; Kenya gazette supplement acts, 2012, Nairobi
Robert V. Krejcie and W.Morgan (1970). Determining Sample Size For Research
Activities Educational and Psychological Measurement1970, 30, 607-610. University of Minnesota, Duluth Texas A. &M. University
Rogers, E. M. (1995). Diffusion of Innovations (4thed.). New York: The Free Press.
Serhan, D. (2007). School Principals’ Attitudes towards the Use of Technology: United Arab Emirates technology workshop. Turkish Online Journal of Education Technology, 6(2). Article 5. Retrieved May 14, 2009, from http://www.tojet.net/articles/625.htm
Wanjira K. (2009) Educational development in Kenya and the role of information and Communication technology; International Journal of Education and Development using Information and Communication Technology (IJEDICT), 2009, Vol. 5, Issue 2, pp. 6-20
Zhao, Y. and Frank, K. (2003). Factors affecting technology uses in schools: An ecological perspective. American Educational Research Journal, 40(4), 807–840.
Schiller, J. (2003). Working with ICT Perceptions of Australian principals. Journal of Educational Administration, 41(2), 171-185.
Yuen, H.K., Law, N., & Wong, K.C. (2003). ICT Implementation and School Leadership: Case studies of ICT integration in teaching and learning. Journal of Educational Administration, 41(2), 158-170.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) 4.0 License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work’s authorship and initial publication in this journal.
