Factors Influencing Principals’ Integration Of Information Communication Technology In Administration Public Secondary Schools In Kitui Central Sub County, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate factors influencing school principals’ integration of ICT in administration of secondary school Kitui Central Sub- County, Kitui County. Specifically, the study was set to establish the extent to which availability of ICT infrastructure influences ICT integration; extent to which school principals’ ICT literacy levels influence integration of ICT; the influence of principals’ attitudes towards ICT on its integration as well as finding out the extent to which availability of technical support influence principal’s integration of ICT. The study employed a descriptive survey research design. The target population consisted of 35 principals, 35 deputies of the public secondary schools in Kitui Central Sub-County, one sub county education administrator. Sample size comprise of 32 principals, 32 deputies and 1 Sub County Education Administrator who were randomly selected. Questionnaires were administered to the sampled respondents. The study’s main findings were that inadequate ICT resources and related infrastructure, inadequate ICT literacy among principals and deputy principals, lack of enthusiasm towards ICT integration among principals; and lack of technical support as well as frequent power outages influenced ICT integration in public secondary schools to a great extent. The main conclusions of the study are that inadequate ICT resources, ICT illiteracy among principals, negative attitude towards ICT integration among principals and lack of technical support were the main hindrances towards ICT integration in school administration in public secondary schools in Kitui Central Sub County, Kitui County, Kenya. The study recommended that principals liaise with school managers to avail ICT tools, Principals to attend workshops and seminars for training to acquire skills and boost the attitude as well. Schools were also recommended employ their own technical experts to avoid time wasting. For further research, this study suggested: a replica of same topic to be studied in other counties for comparison and also the same topic to be done investigating more variables that hinder ICT integration among principals like non-teaching staff ICT competency and availability of reliable power