IMPACT OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY (ICT) ON HIGHER EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM IN SIERRA LEONE – A SURVEY

Abstract

In Sierra Leone, higher educational institutions to date lack equipment, infrastructure, and quality electronic learning materials. ICT has not yet become a catalyst for transformational change in the educational system. Most of the efforts to embrace ICT in the national education system have proved futile due to high cost of acquisition of necessary equipment by the users and lack of adequate investment in the national ICT infrastructure. The objective of this paper is in two-folds. First, to examine the current state of ICT use and e-learning, especially as it relates to its impact on teaching and learning. Second, to identify potential areas for improvements with recommendations for policymakers, educators, and other stakeholders on how to leverage the potential of ICT in higher education. Data was electronically collected through questionnaires administered by students and lecturers in selected higher educational institutions using convenient sampling method. ANOVA statistical technique wise employed for data analysis. Findings from the study revealed that a vast majority of the respondents believe that ICT makes provision for more dynamism with up-to-date learning contents and could improve the overall performance of students. Additionally, the study found that ICT adoption rate in Sierra Leone is weak largely because of lack of ICT knowledge and awareness and the high cost of necessary infrastructure. The paper recommends that due to high cost of technology, Government must support higher educational institutions in their acquisition and maintenance; Institutions should make them a matter of priority and budget for them; and the compulsory use of ICT in the classroom must be encouraged.