The Influence of Availability of Internet Connectivity on Teachers’ Integration of Information Communication Technology in Teaching and Learning in Public Primary Schools in Kenya

The purpose of the study was to investigate the influence of teacher training in information communication technology on integration of information communication technology in teaching and learning in public primary schools in Kakamega County in Kenya. The study objectives sought to determine the level of teachers’ training in information communication technology for integration of information communication technology in teaching and learning; ascertain the influence of teachers’ academic qualification in information communication technology on integration of information communication technology in teaching and learning and to establish the influence of teachers attendance of in service course in information communication technology on integration of information communication technology in teaching and learning in public primary schools in Kakamega County, Kenya. Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge theory was used for the study. A descriptive survey research design was used for the investigation. The sample size was determined using the census sampling, proportionate sampling, simple random sampling, and purposive sampling techniques. The sample size included 356 public primary school teachers, 189 public primary school head teachers, and 1 County Director of Education. The study used questionnaires and interview schedules to collect responses from 546 participants. Tables and charts were used to present the data. The results were analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively. The Chi-square (x2) test was used to assess the degree of correlation between teachers’ use of information and communication technology and teaching and learning in public primary schools. Cronbach alpha (0.05) was the criterion for significance. This study was significant since it increased our understanding and aided in the development of future ICT integration strategies for teaching in the classroom. The study revealed that the majority of public primary school teachers lacked Information Communication Technology training. In order to integrate ICT into teaching and learning, the study recommended that teachers acquire training in information and communication technology.

The purpose of the study was to establish teachers’ perception on integration of information communication technology in teaching and learning in secondary schools in Uasin Gishu County. The study was guided by the Minimalism theory. The study utilized ex post facto research design. The target population included all private and public secondary schools in Uasin Gishu County and all teachers in private and public secondary schools in the county. Stratified and simple random sampling procedures were to select the respondents for the study. The study utilized questionnaire and observation schedules for data collection. The study concluded that most of teachers in public and private secondary schools in Uasin Gishu County had favorable perceptions of availability of ICT infrastructure in their school, The study further concluded that both private and public secondary teachers in Uasin Gishu County had favorable perceptions of availability of plans for ICT integration in teaching in their school and that there is a significant relationship between public and private secondary teachers mean perception scores on ICT integration in Uasin Gishu County. the study recommended that the county Government of Uasin Gishu should provide ICT infrastructure in both private and public secondary schools and The principals and school managers in Uasin Gishu County should develop ICT integration plans at the school level which should inform the process of integrating the same in classroom teaching and learning.

The study is guided by the following objectives: Teachers' perceptions of use of ICT and digital competencies in enhancing online learning in public primary schools in Kenya; the relationship between cognitive, behavioral, and emotional engagement on learners' instructional engagement; and the challenges facing teachers in their use of technology in teaching and learning in public and private primary schools in Kenya. The study employs an explanatory sequential mixed –methods approach. The final sample was 70 (n=70). Data was collected using questionnaires and interview schedules. The study revealed a positive perception of teachers towards education technology. The study recommends that educators and policy makers address the digital divide by ensuring equitable access to technology and internet connectivity for all students especially those with special needs, and concludes that technology has emerged as a big enabler. It recommends that further research is needed to investigate the long-term implications of online learning on academic achievement of learners with special needs.

After independence, Tanzanian government had made various efforts of changing the educational system in various periods to suit the world changes needs. Among the efforts is that of integration of information communication technology (ICT) in various levels of education. Currently, Tanzania has finalized its information Communication Technology (ICT) policy…. for basic education which incorporates the integration of ICT in pre-primary, primary, and secondary education. This paper intended to assess parent’s perception on Integration of Information Communication Technology in education in preprimary level and to examine the influence of Integration of Information Communication Technology in education on parent’s preprimary school choice in Tanzania. The data were collected from 5 parents with children in private pre-primary schools in urban Njombe. The study revealed that most parents who send their children in private pre-primary schools in Njombe perceive ICT as very important for their children’s future life, and also the parents do choose private pre-primary school by considering the ICT facilities as the factor for their choice. The findings revealed that apart from parents having a positive perception on ICT most schools have insufficient infrastructure for teaching and learning ICT and also parents are worried on the proper control of ICT use from their children. This is an implication that the situation forces the integration of ICT in education but the stakeholders are not yet fully prepared. The study recommends the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Vocational Training (MoESTVT) to fast track the ICT infrastructure in both private and public schools for all levels of education starting with pre-primary schools as a foundation of all other levels and involve all educational stakeholders especially parents. Article visualizations:

The integration of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) in education has become a vital role in recent times. The purpose of this paper was to explore perceptions and challenges lecturers and student-teachers were facing on the integration of ICTs in education. A qualitative approach with a case study was employed, whose sample consisted of the five English lecturers and ten student-teachers specialising in English at The International University of Management (IUM). Data was collected with open ended questionnaires and analysed by established themes. Key findings revealed that ICTs plays central role in facilitating teaching and learning activities for English language. ICTs have turned traditional classrooms into virtual spaces that are more interactive and engaging, thereby motivating students to learn. The integration of ICTs was faced by challenges related to the high cost of technologies and the cost of internet connectivity for optimal use of the technologies. The study concluded that ICTs are essential for teaching and learning especially during the current uncertain times of Covid-19. Hence, the study recommends that stakeholders should mobilise resources to improve the provisions and usage of ICTs in educational institutions.

The knowledge economy expansion has significantly affected the methodologies of knowledge transfer and skilling of human resource. The demand for skillful workforce is significant to the development of an ingenious educational approach to teaching and learning engineering. Integration of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in teaching and learning provides a number of endless interactive modernizations of training approaches to engineering processes and applications. The purpose of this study was to establish the status of integration of ICT in teaching and learning of practical engineering concepts in National Polytechnics in Kenya. The study surveyed the trainers’ competencies on the application of ICT for the teaching and learning engineering processes and practices. The descriptive research design was employed and involved both quantitative and qualitative data. The study was based on the constructivist theory of learning and under the framework of technology, organization and environmental theory. Qualitative data was collected through Interviews and observation while questionnaires produced quantitative data. Three National polytechnics; Eldoret, Kisumu and Kenya Technical Trainers’ College, were selected and a sample of 75 respondents consisting of trainers was selected using stratified simple random sampling, while administrators from mechanical, electrical, and automotive and civil engineering departments were selected by simple purposive sampling; to provide information on the trainers’ competence on virtual teaching and learning engineering. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The triangulation of the bi-data collected through mixed method strengthened the overall outcome as one approach offset the weaknesses of the other method. The findings of the study identified the constraints getting in the way of trainers to effectively integrate ICT in teaching and learning engineering and the pointer centred on the inadequate knowledge on the application of simulations and unavailability of virtual laboratories; 64% of the engineering trainers reported that their computer proficiency was good while 36% reported to be moderately proficient in the use of computers. However, a depressed 17% had the capacity to employ simulation software for TL. The study recommended enhancement of trainers’ competence on the application of ICT and provision of appropriate ICT infrastructure.

Background The congruence between individual and environment is considered as congruence between individual-profession, individual-work, individual-working group and individual-organization in organizational literature (Muckinsy and Monahan, 1987). The congruence between individual and organization is examined by various aspects, including congruence of goals (Meglino, Ravlin a Atkins, 1989; Boxx, Odom a Dunn, 1991; O'Reilly, Chatman a Caldwell, 1991; Harris a Mossholder, 1996), congruence of needs and structure (Bretz, Ash a Dreher, 1989), and congruence of personality and climate (Christiansen, Villanova a Mikulay, 1997). Studies related to individual-organization congruence, focuses on values for the assessment and expression of the congruence between individual and organization. Because values are rather stable characteristics of organization and individual. Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the congruence level between teachers' values and organizational values of school by perceptions of teachers at public and private schools in Turkey. Method The study group was 596 public primary school teachers and 577 private primary school teachers selected by using random cluster sampling procedures from public and private schools located at city centers of 28 provinces in Turkey. Data were collected by 34 item Value Scale developed by researcher. Value Scale was pre-tested with 120 teachers and internal consistency of Cronbach's alpha was computed as .98, item-total correlations ranging from .41 to .94. An exploratory factor analysis also produced a single structure factor with factor loadings greater than .30 (KMO=.95; pl.05). Data were analyzed by using Pearson moments correlation test, mean, relative variation coefficient, Spearman correlation coefficient, one-way ANOVA, t-test, Mann-Whitney U-test, Kruskal Wallis H-test, LSD multiple comparison test and staged multiple regression analysis. Findings and Results Findings indicated that the top five personal values public primary school teachers considered important were “justice”, “honesty”, “being human centered”, “trust” and “being hardworking”; respectively top five organizational values were “success”, “being hardworking”, “honesty”, quality” and “being human centered”. Five personal values that public primary school teachers considered the least important were “obedience”, “formality”, “respecting to seniority”, flexibility” and “being outcome centered”; five organizational values considered least important were “obedience”, “flexibility”, “respecting to seniority”, “empathy” and “freedom”. The top five personal values that private primary school teachers considered important were “honesty”, “justice”, “trust”, “being human centered” and “loyalty”; top five organizational values were “quality”, “success”, “being hardworking”, being outcome centered” and “social responsibility”. Five personal values that private primary school teachers considered the least important were “obedience”, “formality”, “being outcome centered”, “respecting to seniority”, “flexibility”; five organizational values considered least important were found to be “empathy”, “freedom”, “flexibility”, “being participant” and “independence”. There was a positive, moderate and significant relationship between personal and organizational values of public and private primary school teachers. The value congruence level between teachers and school was higher for private school teachers than public school teachers. The value congruence levels of private and public schools teachers did not show any significant differences by socioeconomic level of the city where teachers worked, teachers` educational background and the school that teachers graduated from. The value congruence level of the teachers working at Black Sea Region was higher than the teachers working at Marmara, Aegean, Eastern Anatolia, and Southeastern Anatolia regions. The value congruence level for the male teachers working at private primary schools was higher than the female teachers. At public primary schools, value congruence levels of classroom teachers were significantly higher than value congruence levels of subject specialist teachers. At public primary schools, value congruence level of teachers with 21 years or more experience was higher than value congruence level of teachers with less than 20 years of experience. At private primary schools, value congruence level of teachers with 11 to 15 years of experience was higher than the teachers with 10 years or less teaching experience.

This study was carried out with 86 primary school teachers in Kenya’s Narok County and explored factors affecting integration of ICT in teaching and learning. Multiple regression was used for data analysis. The results revealed that 32.5% of the variance was explained by the independent and extraneous variables (R2 =0.325, P=0.001) and was statistical significant. Attitude was found to be a significant predictor of teachers’ behavioural intention to use ICT in teaching and learning (β=0.259, p<0.05) while Performance expectancy (β=0.148, p>0.05), Effort expectancy (β=-0.185, p>0.05), Social influence (β=0.029, p>0.05), facilitating condition (β=0.194, p>0.05), Self-efficacy (β=0.195, p>0.05) and anxiety (β=0.074, p>0.05) were not significant predictors. The study recommends training of teachers on subject specific ICT technologies, laptops and computers be availed for use by teachers and pupils, school heads be trained on how to monitor and support integration of ICT by teachers and governments to provide schools with requisite ICT infrastructures.

The purpose of this study was to compare the influence of management styles of head teacher’s on pupils’ performance in private and public primary schools in Nakuru municipality at Kenya Certificate of Primary Education level. The population comprised of teachers and head teachers in public primary schools. The study adopted the ex post facto survey research design and used a sample size of 70 primary schools in which 70 Head teachers and 70 teachers were interviewed. The respondents were selected using simple random sampling technique. Data for the study was collected by use of questionnaires and interview schedules. The study collected both qualitative and quantitative data. Data collected was analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics with the aid of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 17. The results were presented by descriptive statistics. The study findings revealed that most public primary schools were using democratic and participatory leadership styles as opposed to private primary schools, which were mainly using autocratic leadership style; private primary schools were performing better than Public primary schools in Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) in Nakuru municipality; most teachers in both private and public primary schools were not comfortable with the prevailing / current leadership styles and administration standards, and negatively related this with student performance. The findings further revealed a positive Spearman rank correlation between school mean mark and team working spirit r(62)=0.078) p>0.05; and a positive Spearman rank correlation between school mean mark and adequate reading materials r(62)= 0.094) p>0.05. Although the two correlations were not significant. Following these findings, the study recommends that the Ministry of Education, school governing bodies, and concerned stakeholders should consider mobilizing and allocating resources geared towards mitigating the impediments to the effectiveness of primary school leadership styles. Key words: Head teachers’ management styles, pupils’ performance, KCPE, primary schools, Kenya.

Information and communication technology use in education has become an indispensable aspect in the contemporary education system. This explains why many governments including Kenya government have invested in information and communication technology to foster the quality of education. However, despite efforts to avail information and communication technology resources, their use and impact on instructional delivery has been minimal, especially in primary schools in Kenya. Consequently, there has been concern on relationship between availability of information and communication technology and teacher professional development in primary schools. This situation has necessitated the proposed study which is aimed at assessing the relationship between teacher professional development and use for ICT in teaching and learning in primary schools in Sabuli sub-county, Wajir County, Kenya. The study used correlation research design. The target population 94 teacher comprising 30 head teachers and 64 teachers of primary schools in Sabuli sub-county, Wajir County. Given the small number of teachers in public primary schools in Sabuli sub county, the study purposively selected all teachers and head teachers as participant to avoid reducing the ambiguity of a study. Thus, the sample population was 94 respondents. The researcher gathered data using questionnaires from teachers and used semi-structured interview for head-teachers. Data was analysed using descriptive and regression statistics. The findings highlight a statistically significant positive relationship between teacher professional development and ICT use, indicating a direct relationship between the two variables.

Inclusive education has become a worldwide practice because it boosts child rights, especially the right to basic education. Management of inclusive education in primary schools is critical if the education sector is to realize set objectives. The purpose of the study was to examine the influence of special needs education (SNE) resources on the management of inclusive education in public primary schools in Nakuru East Sub-County, Kenya. The specific objectives included establishing the influence of available teaching and learning resources for SNE and SNE teachers' competence in the management of inclusive education in public primary schools in Nakuru East Sub-County. The study was supported by two theories, namely Classical Liberal Theory of Equal Opportunity and Social Darwinism and Systems Theory. The research used a mixed-methods approach. This study used a descriptive, explanatory research design. The target population was 520 respondents, including 437 pupils with disabilities, one quality assurance officer, 4 guidance and counselling teachers, and 4 head teachers. A sample of 170 respondents was selected. Questionnaires for Headteachers, Guidance and counselling Teachers, and Pupils with disabilities and interview schedules for Quality assurance officers were adopted to collect primary data. After cleaning this data by looking for errors in the entries, different descriptive statistics like the variation of coefficient, frequencies, standard deviation, mean score and percentages were assessed for all the quantitative information and variables presented using tables. Inferential statistics such as regression analysis were computed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 27. On the other hand, qualitative information was analyzed through the use of content analysis. Regarding the availability of teaching and learning resources for SNE, the study found that the schools had adequately adapted textbooks and hearing aids for SNE. Further, regarding the SNE teachers' competence, the study established that it was uncertain whether many of the teachers at their schools had received special education training. The study concluded that SNE teachers' competence (β=0.737, p-value=0.006<0.05) had the greatest influence on the management of inclusive education in public primary schools in Nakuru East Sub-County, while available teaching and learning resources for SNE (β=0.541, p-value=0.003<0.05) had the least influence on the management of inclusive education in public primary schools in Nakuru East Sub-County. The study recommended that head teachers and teachers should be taken for some SNE management training by the government through seminars organized by the Ministry of Education in order to be able to cater to the learners with special needs in regular schools. The findings might be used by the Ministry of Education and education stakeholders to enhance the quality of inclusive education in public primary schools in Nakuru East Sub-County, Kenya.

The use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in education has expanded significantly worldwide. Many countries develop Educational ICT policies to promote national agendas for economic, social, and political growth. The implementation of ICT in education is designed to prepare students to assimilate into the global market, attain equal access to education, and to be technologically prepared citizens. Many African governments are therefore developing ICT policies to expand integration of ICTs in primary and secondary education. However, successful integration of ICTs requires concerted efforts across stakeholders, as well as consistency in policy implementation and evaluation. Although several Southern African countries have ICT policy blueprints for education, not much is known about the implementation of the policies on the ground. This study reviews educational ICT policy implementation, successes, and challenges in three Southern African countries: Angola, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.

Going by the observation made by advocates of digital learning, digital technologies can increase the effectiveness of teachers. If digital technologies are made good use of, they can lead to increased access to data for learners, teaching materials, mentorship opportunities, and professional development. Successful incorporation of modern technologies into the classroom can be achieved if teachers work collaboratively to create modern learning environments and embrace technology in teaching. For this to be realised, a different set of teachers’ skills is essential to ensure frequent use of technology while encouraging a new approach where technology is made use of. The researcher carried out an investigation of the efficacy of DLP to uncover the underlying issues that could be hindering access to electronic information resources by public primary school teachers in Kenya’s Kakamega County. The objectives were to ascertain digital literacy skills possessed by public primary school teachers, establish availability and status of the necessary infrastructure for ICT in public primary schools, establish the relationship between teacher competence and access to and use of electronic information resources, and identify challenges faced by teachers in their endeavor to make use of useful electronic information resources. This research adopted descriptive approach because the intention was to describe the existing conditions with respect to variables which are, digital literacy, ICT infrastructure and teachers’ competence that affect access to electronic information resources. Proper data analysis was enabled by the researcher applying Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Analysis of open-ended questions, which formed part of the qualitative data, was done by use of conceptual content before being presented in prose. Pie charts, tables, percentages and bar graphs were used in presentation of quantitative data. Since previous studies have shown that primary school teachers obtain low scores in integration of digital technologies in the classroom, the researcher sought to identify unique challenges that schools could be facing that require homegrown solutions. From the results of the study, digital literacy, ICT infrastructure and teacher competence have significant effect on online academic resources being used by public primary school teachers in the County of Kakamega. From the findings, the study concluded that managements of public primary school teachers in Kakamega County should ensure computer teachers are trained on a regular basis to acquire the needed knowledge and skills. There is an advocacy to managements of public primary school teachers in Kakamega County to ensure availability of the required ICT infrastructure to facilitate access to electronic information resources. Further, teachers should undertake professional development trainings to enhance their ICT knowledge and skills.

Purpose: The study aimed at finding out the determinants of successful implementation of digital literacy project in public primary schools in Baringo County in Kenya. The specific objectives of the study were to determine the effect of school leadership, information communication technology teacher competence, and teacher workload and information communication technology infrastructure. The study was founded on Technology Acceptance Theory, Resource Based Theory, Upper Echelons Theory and the Technology, Organization and Environment Model theories. This study adopted a descriptive survey research design. Methodology: The study targeted 612 stakeholders in the implementation of the Digital Literacy Project in public schools including the Ministry of education Science and Technology representative who is the Sub county Directors, the TSC Sub County Directors, curriculum support officers in the County, the Kenya Institute of Special Education Sub County coordinators, the Kenya Primary Schools Head Teachers Association Sub County coordinators, the Kenya National Union of Teachers Sub County coordinators and the head teachers of the public primary schools in Baringo county. Yamane formula was used to determine a sample size of 150 respondents. Structured questionnaire presented in likert scale were used in collecting primary data. Descriptive statistics such as percentages, mean and frequency was used to analyze the collected data. The study also used inferential statistics such as correlation and regression. Results: The study found that school leader of technology encourage use of technology in teaching and learning and help teachers establish goals to implementation of technology in achieving their instructional strategies and that school leader’s interest; their commitment and championing implementation of ICT programs in schools positively influenced the whole process. The study concluded that school leadership had the greatest influence on implementation of digital literacy project in public primary schools in Baringo County in Kenya in Kenya followed by ICT infrastructure, then teachers ICT competence while teachers’ workload had the least influence on the implementation of digital literacy project in public primary schools in Baringo County in Kenya.Contribution to policy and practice: The study recommends that the school leaders should increase their compliance with the various policies so as to ensure more effective integration of learning and teaching in primary schools and that school administration and stakeholders in education needs to be more supportive towards implementation of ICT programs.

Reading is fundamental in the acquisition of language. It builds up an important foundation for the acquisition of other language skills and plays a vital role in the learning of other subjects. There is therefore a need for learners to acquire reading proficiency. The study sought to find out the reading abilities of learners in public primary schools in Nandi County, Kenya. The study’s research question was what are the reading abilities of learners in public primary schools in Nandi County, Kenya? The study sought to test the following hypotheses; There is no significant relationship between the gender of the learner and the reading ability of the learner in public primary schools in Nandi County, Kenya, and there is no significant relationship between the category of the school (rural or urban) and the reading abilities of learners in public primary schools in Nandi County, Kenya. The study adopted a causal-comparative research design with data being collected from a sample size of 200 class six and seven learners in public primary schools in Nandi County. Data was collected using a pupils’ reading test and an observation schedule. Stratified and simple random sampling was utilised as the sampling technique, and a comparison was drawn between the reading abilities of learners in rural public primary schools and those of urban public primary schools. A further comparison was drawn between the reading abilities of boys and those of girls. The study found that learners from urban primary schools performed better than those from rural public primary schools in Nandi County. The study further found out that boys performed slightly better than girls in reading.