Leadership challenges in the utilization of information communication technology in secondary schools of jimma zone south western, ethiopia

Abstract

The aim of the study were to examine the current school leadership challenges utilizations of Information Communication technology ICT program in education specifically in Jimma zone secondary schools. To investigate and examine the study 22 secondary schools, 305 respondents were used and data were gathered through questionnaires, interviews, and direct observation. The descriptive survey methods were employed to identify the perceptions and stands of the teachers and stakeholder towards the implementation and advantages of ICT for the teachinglearning process so as to impart quality education. For analysis, mean scores and percentages were used to see the perceptions and attitudes of the respondents. And also, data collected through interviews and observations were analyzed in relation with the results of the questionnaires. The findings of the study revealed that 70.8 % the respondents had a positive attitude on the values of ICT utilization in education to improve the quality of education in terms of accessing qualified teachers, getting teaching materials that were not accessed other wise and information needed for their subject matter, promoting student-center method of education and community participation, and improve the knowledge and skills of teachers and students even for future career. However, 55.6% the respondents agreed that the implementations of ICT in the schools faced a lot of problems such as inadequate supply of ICT equipment such as computers, plasma television display and their necessary accessories and scarce skilled personnel and insufficient ICT rooms, electric disconnection, network problem, with a heavy background of unfriendliness to technology and little involvements of stakeholders, lack of proper budget and commitment of school leadership. Due to this findings, it is strongly recommended that the ICTDA structured under the Ministry of Education in collaboration with the stakeholders should work hard to solve those challenges of the schools in order to utilize the ICT program effectively and improve the quality of education given in the Jimma zone.