An Assessment of Level of Computer Literacy and Phobia among Private Secondary School’s Principals in Kaduna North Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study assessed the level of computer literacy and phobia among private secondary schools’ principals in Kaduna North Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State, Nigeria. Specifically, this study intends to achieve the following objectives: - estimate the level of principals’; and vice-principals’ computer literacy and phobia in private secondary schools in Kaduna North LGA; evaluate the level of availability of computer systems for usage in private secondary schools; determine the extent computer literacy and phobia influence principals’ and vice-principals’ computer utilization for effective school management in private secondary schools; and estimate the significant relationship between computer literacy, phobia, and principals’ and vice-principals’ computer utilization in private secondary schools. Data were collected using questionnaire administered to ninety (90) respondents. The analytical tools used to achieve stated objectives include descriptive statistics; econometrics multiple regression analysis; and Pearson correlation analysis. The results revealed that the level of computer literacy of private secondary schools principals in handling computer, using E mail, using cyber-café is significantly higher than vice-principals. Sixteen (16) or 19% of total surveyed principals of private secondary schools had no computer qualification. Forty- four (44) or 51% of total surveyed private secondary had no internet facilities within the school systems. This implies that e-facilities, e-library, e-information, and e-communication are totally absent in those schools systems. Our results indicated the effectiveness of predictor variables ( computer literacy and phobia ) in influencing principals’ and teaching personnel’s computer use for record keeping and schools management with an F-ratio of 13.756 which was significant at 1% probability level, the Coefficient of Multiple Determinations (R²) value of 0.516,and the adjusted R square value was 0.492.The Pearson correlation coefficient between computer utilization and level of computer literacy in private secondary schools was 0.209 which was significant at 0.10 level of probability indicating that there is an interrelationship between principals’ and vice-principals’ computer utilization and computer literacy for effective school management. Based on our findings, we recommend that private secondary schools should have a fully computerized center with internet facilities for e-library-information and e-communication system.