Determinants Of Implementation Of New Economic Partnership For Africa Development E-Schools Project In Western Kenya: A Case Of Selected National Secondary Schools

Abstract

An e-school is a learning institution with basic digital equipment that is internet enabled to facilitate teaching. E-schools were introduced in selected Kenyan national secondary schools. However, the implementation of the project had challenges particularly in Western Kenya. They were lack of internet connectivity, the training given to the teachers was not sufficient; the ICT equipment was not adequate and of the expected quality and it was not followed by monitoring and evaluation to ensure that the quality of teaching and learning is enhanced. To establish the determinants of implementing this project in selected national secondary schools in the Western region of Kenya, this research adopted the following objectives: to establish how funding, teacher training, leadership and ICT facilities determine the execution of the project. The researcher employed the descriptive survey research design. This study was supported by the Constructivism theory a school of thought guided by the principles of scientifically observing the ways in which people acquire knowledge or skills. Two from schools were included in the study. The target population was 3,121 respondents who included 2 principals, 147 teachers and 2,972 students. The sample size for this study was 341 drawn from the target population. Data was collected using questionnaires, interview schedules and through observation. To ascertain the reliability and validity of the research instruments, a pilot study was done in Menengai high school one of the e-schools in Kenya. To analyse the data, descriptive statistics that involved frequencies and percentages and the findings presented in tables. Major findings were 54%of the respondents indicated that funds were inadequate. 50% suggested there was no transparency in the management of funds. 52% responded there was no accountability of funds. On teacher training 55% of the respondents indicated the training was not sufficient, 52% disagreed training had given them the confidence while 52% responded training had not given them knowledge and skills. On leadership 52% of the respondents disagreed there was an ICT policy in place, 55% responded there was no national structure for coordinating the implementation of the project while 55% indicated there was no monitoring and evaluation mechanism. On ICT equipment 89% responded the equipment was inadequate. 50% indicated there was no maintenance of ICT equipment and renewal plan for the project. Conclusions based on the findings were; funding towards the project was not sufficient, the training given to the teachers was inadequate, leadership was not streamlined and the ICT equipment was not adequate and of the expected quality. The recommendations of the study were: there is need for the government to prioritize funding for ICT in education in Kenyan secondary schools and equip the e-schools laboratories with adequate and modern ICT equipment. Recommendations for further studies were a similar study covering other regions to be done.