Factors Affecting the Adoption of Information Communication Technology for Educational Support Activities in Secondary Schools in Vihiga County

Abstract

Information Communication and Technology (ICT) plays an important role in education institutions by facilitating and improving the teaching and learning process to be in line with the information technology age. ICT has also been credited with the potential to integrate world economies thus demolishing the barriers created by time and distance. However despite IT’s role in improving effectiveness and efficiency in service delivery, its adoption in most of the secondary schools has remained low and limited. This study sought to assess the factors affecting the adoption of ICT for education support activities in secondary schools in Kenya through a survey of Vihiga County. The study was guided by Diffusion of Innovation Theory. The study used a total sample of 69 respondents selected from secondary schools in Vihiga County. Questionnaire method was used to collect primary data from the study respondents. Study data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0 for windows whereby descriptive statistics such as frequency distributions and percentages and inferential statistics such as Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient were utilized. The survey established user’s attitude, IT literacy, cost and policy issues in information technology as the major factors affecting the rate of ICT adoption in secondary schools in Kenya. However the study found that the said aspects have strong association with pace of ICT adoption and their effect is similar across schools. The study recommends that the government through its relevant agencies does intensify ICT in-service programs, e-learning workshops and conferences for teachers to enhance their integration capability. Government should coordinate the integration and subsidize the costs as well as monitor the implementation of a well-focused frame work in line with the national education ICT adoption strategy for learning institutions.

Keywords: Information and Communication Technology; Secondary Schools; ICT

Adoption; Education adoption