‘A Framework For Implementation of ICT In Kenyan High Schools Focusing on Sustainability’

1. ‘A Framework For Implementation of ICT In Kenyan High Schools Focusing on Sustainability’ Name: Ndungu, Patrick MainaReg No. : P/56/P/7786/02Supervisor: Mr. C. Moturi November 2005

2. ABSTRACT • The research was a survey of one hundred (100) high schools from seven (7) provinces in Kenya. • Sought to critically look at the implementations of ICT in these schools. • challenges being encountered - best methods used to successfully sustain it. • ICT is not doing well due to poor planning lack of knowledgeable ICT personnel, financial constrains in spite of the fact that student are paying a lot of money for ICT. • A Framework developed that, if adopted, will help in a standardized approach to the implementation and sustainability of ICT in schools

3. 1.0 INTRODUCTION • The research is undertaken in recognition of the complexities a school faces during implementation and subsequent sustainability of ICT. • Some schools have adopted ICT use. • Others with apparently similar desire and similar resources, only little has been achieved. • This research is underpinned by the desire to understand- what makes the difference?

4. 2.0 Project Justification • A lot of resources are used in establishing ICT center in schools:- • A number of school heads/managers are complaining about the cost involved in running of ICT in school • Lack of support of ICT by Administration and school staff • Confusion between outsourcing of ICT services e. g. maintenance and hiring their own ICT Technician • Dilemma of whether to buy branded, Clones or refurbished comp. • Poor security leading to loss • Requires proper planning • Add educational value, content and capacity Building for all schools that have implemented ICT and those planning

5. 4.0 Objectives Of The Study • General Objective • Establish and disseminate findings regarding the conditions and or factors which encourage and support effective ICT implementation & subsequent maintenance focusing on its sustainability. • Specific Objectives • Identify factors which encourage and support effective ICT implementation focusing on its sustainability. • Model a framework for implementing ICT centers in Kenyan high schools which can be sustained.

6. 5.0 Literature Survey • Literature from fields of studies that:- • directly addressed ICT implementation in schools • which focused on management whether in education or otherwise was reviewed • Across the fields of literature, relevant documents were identified from an existing extensive research database, updated with summary information from recent publications. • From the literature survey, there following conditions are essential for implementing ICT in schools for its sustainability:-

7. Literature Survey, [cont’d] • Shared Vision – systematic support, school culture and organisation • Is there proactive leadership and administrative support from the entire system? • Is organisational structure open and flexible in terms of allowing ICT co-coordinator to participate in decision-making? • Is there visible clarity with regard to the school’s informal decision making processes? • Community Support • Is there recognition of the importance of links outside the immediate school, both at local and national level? • Does the community and school partners provide expertise, support, and resources? • Resources Access • Does the school have access to current technologies, software, and telecommunications networks?

8. Literature Survey, [cont’d] • Are the ICT facilities reliable and robust? • Are computers and peripherals suitable for the specific purpose they are to address? • Training and support/ Professional Development • Is there a system for helping teachers identify their training needs? • Do teachers have consistent access to professional development in support of technology use in teaching and learning? • Is there Technical Assistancegiven to teachers (technical assistance for maintaining and using the technology)? • Individual attitude

9. Literature review Cont.. summary • ICT development could not be achieved without the following capital assets:- • Financial sustainability, -(re)covering costs and replacing equipment: leads to institutional sustainability • Physical (technology) capital :- technology choice, type of infrastructure and Human capital influence the success of ICT in a school • Social capital :-social and institutional arrangements that will keep the ICT being used for its intended developmental.

10. METHODOLOGY • Population:-Kenyan High Schools • Representative group( Target population):- 287 schools that were registered for computer studies in year 2004 Kenya National Examinational council’s O-level exams was. • Sampling Frame:- Sample units constituted one hundred (100) randomly selected High Schools in seven provinces.

11. METHODOLOGY [Cot’d]

12. Data Gathering Instruments Questionnaire:- One hundred and twenty five (125) questionnaires were administered, 100 were returned – 80% response rate targeting the ICT coordinator/computer teacher. Questionnaire data generated descriptive statistics regarding success or failure of ICT in school Interviews Head teacher and ICT coordinator were asked some oral questions for clarification purposes. Observation Computer labs organization or school Network set up. Observation was used as a supportive and exploratory of collecting data METHODOLOGY [Cot’d]

13. PRELIMINARY FINDINGS, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATIONS • From the data collected, an attempt has been made to extract any common trends that exist in support of or contradicting the hypothesis.

14. Summary Of Survey Findings The findings are grouped into three • School (organizational]:- - Analysis of prevailing process, policies a school has put In place that influences Success in ICT. • Technical issues:- • This looks at Technical aspects that influences growth of ICT in a school. • Financial:- - looks at issues relating to costs of establishing and running of ICT

15. SCHOOL- Institutional Sustainability • Presence of ICT department and how long it has been there:- • urban schools have generally had their ICT programs running for much longer than other schools - This further indicates that they have had time to experiment various implementation strategies and picked on the most ideal.

16. FINDINGS, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATIONS

17. FINDINGS, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATIONS • Presence Of ICT Teacher During Implementation,main objectives and Success Of ICT In A School. • 85% of the respondents that had successful ICT implementation had an ICT teacher or coordinator foreseeing and advising on the process. • Promotion of ICT literacy was the major over all objectives with 37% followed by tool to implement curriculum26% and 21% as means to adapting curriculum to modern technology an 15% administration and management.

18. Process leader an success in implimentation

20. Technical Sustainability Issues

21. INTERNET CONNECTIONSNS

22. Security Considerations Taken

23. Financial Sustainability Issues • 80.6% of ICT in schools were establihsed by school

24. 30 branded (compaq) bought 4 years ago

25. 20 refurbished branded bought 4 years ago

26. 20 CLONES bought 4 years ago

27. 20 branded (compaq) bought in 1998 (7 years)

28. Mixtures of Branded, Cloned and refurbished

29. A Model framework

30. SUSTAINABILITY DIMENSIONS OF THE FRAMEWORK • Financial sustainability: •  Establishment of ICT budget •   Looking for financial sources and ICT Fee • Quantifying Cost effectiveness of ICT • Being Transparent on the implementation and running of ICT in a schoolTECHNICAL • Technical Sustainability: • Willingness To Undertake Maintenance • Setting of laboratory rules • Implementation of appropriate networking option • Provision of technical support

31. SUSTAINABILITY DIMENSIONS OF THE FRAMEWORK [CONT…] • Enhancement of access to resources and information • Hiring of knowledgeable ICT staff • Establishment of ICT master plan • Ensuring Appropriateness of technology • Ensuring Student as well as school staff satisfaction • Institutional sustainability:- • Establishment of a ICT department in a school based on proper planning and strong derives • Teachers’ decision making about the use of ICT in a school • Establishment of ICT links with external organization • Professional Development of ICT teacher and ICT support staff • Coordination / communication • Management willingness

32. Costs Of Different Types Of Computers

33. An Average Cost Of Establishing An ICT Center In A School With About 300 Students

34. Sample network layout

35. CONCLUSION • In most schools, ICT is not doing well due to poor planning, lack of knowledgeable ICT personnel and financial constraint. • Implementation of ICT in high schools in Kenya must take into consideration: School’s traditions, Technical dimension and Financial dimension of ICT. • ICT in high schools is determined by school policies which determine the degree to which an ICT teacher and/ or coordinator is involved in decision-making regarding the development of school ICT. • RECOMMEDATION • Further research should look at how the ICT vendors are main contributors to the problem of technical and financial sustainability through supply of low quality hardware, software and ICT services plus wrong advice to schools and evaluate ways of reducing the effect through enhancement of ethical issues related to ICT.

36. End THANKS