Factors Influencing Slow Implementation of Education Management Information System in Kisumu East Sub County,kisumu County - Kenya

Abstract

An information system is a coordinated and organized platform that involves people, hardware, software, communications networks, and data resources that collects, transforms, and disseminates information within an organization. When an information system provides information for the management of educational development and for effective decision-making, monitoring and evaluation of education activities, it is called an Education Management Information System (EMIS). Hence, the main purpose of this study was to determine the factors influencing the slow implementation of Education Management Information System in primary schools within Kisumu East Sub County in Kisumu County, Kenya. The objectives of the study are to: Assess the extent to which administrative factors influence the implementation of EMIS in schools within Kisumu East Sub County, determine the extent to which social factors influence the implementation of Education Management Information System in Kisumu East Sub County; establish the extent to which strategic factors influence the implementation of Education Management Information System in Kisumu East and finally to determine the extent to which economic factors influence the implementation of Education Management Information System in Kisumu East Sub County. This study adopted the Diffusion of Innovation theory which was regarded as a valuable change model for guiding technological innovation where the innovation itself was modified and presented in ways that meet the needs across all levels of adopters. The study also utilized the descriptive survey design that involved collecting information by interviewing or administering a questionnaire to a sample of individuals. The target population comprised of 150 primary school Head teachers and Deputy Head teachers from 75 public and private schools within Kisumu East Sub County who are directly tasked in administration of EMIS in schools on behalf of the Ministry for planning purposes. Ministry officials such as the CDE, CQASO, DQASO, ZQASO and Registry Officers (clerks) in charge of Kisumu East Sub County were also part of the respondents in the data collection as key informants. The sample size of the study comprised of 63 public and private primary schools translating to 126 Head teachers and Deputy Head teachers within Kisumu East Sub County and it is believed that this number formed a convenient sample as well as a correct representation of the entire population of Kisumu East Sub County schools. Research instruments used in primary data collection were structured questionnaires and key informant interviews on educational experts to complement the process. A pilot study was conducted on a few respondents at the neighboring Kisumu West Sub County at the DEO’s office to help identify any gaps in the overall design and instrumentation. The researcher was assisted by 2 trained research assistants to administer the questionnaires. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics such as mean, standard deviation, percentages and correlation analysis. These were then used to establish the degree of association between the variables. The findings which were presented in form of frequency tables and charts revealed that administrative factors explained only 10.6%, while social factors explained 14.9% significant change in EMIS. Strategic and economic factors explained 48.3% and 43.9% significant change in EMIS implementation respectively. It was recommended that, under administrative factors be clarified so as to enhance awareness in schools. On social factors, teachers should be trained on information use and acceptance, while under strategic factors, capacity building and institutional development should be intensified by the government and finally for economic factors, donor agencies should allocate their funds properly to enhance EMIS implementation. In conclusion, this report presents the findings that were noted as hindering the digital uptake of EMIS in Kisumu East Sub County and the wider Kenyan nation at large.