Chi-Square Analysis of the Survey of ICT Availability and Competency of Secondary Schools' Guidance and Counseling Officers in Bwari Area Council FCT Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

The quest for the use of Information and Computer Technology (ICT) by Guidance and Counseling Officers to discharge their duties in Bwari Area Council FCT Abuja, Nigeria, is of importance and has been emphasized. This study investigates the availability and competency of Guidance and Counseling Officers on the use of ICT. It also examines the influence of gender on Guidance and Counseling Officers’ perceived self efficacy. A total of One hundred and fifty (150) questionnaires were distributed out of which to a total of one hundred (100) were retrieved from Guidance and Counseling Officers (50 male and 50 females) in Bwari Area Council of Federal Capital Territory, Abuja Nigeria, who were asked to indicate the availability and their level of competence in the use of ICT. The validity of the questionnaire was approved by three experts in the field. The Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficients were 0.91, 0.83, 0.79 and 0.88 for experience of using computers, level of competency in basic computer operations, competency in using computer software and total score respectively. Percentage analysis showed that 72% of the Officers do not have the required experience in the use of computers, computer basic operations and the use of application software. The chi-square analysis indicated no significant difference between male and female Guidance and Counseling Officers’ competence in the use of computers, computer basic operations and the use of application software. It is recommended that the Officers should go extra mile in improving themselves as the professional development training provided by the government has proved inadequate. Guidance and Counseling Officers should be given adequate basic and advanced training on the use of ICT during their school training