Utilization of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) for Managing Students’ Academic Records in Nigerian Schools

Abstract

This study examined the utilization of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for managing students’ academic records in Nigerian schools. A descriptive survey method was used for the study. The population of the study comprises 131 teachers in selected secondary schools in Kogi. The multi-stage sampling procedure was adopted to select 97 teachers, both male and female as samples in six (6) secondary schools in the three districts of Kogi State. Five (5) research questions guided the study. Percentile rank and mean scores were used as statistical tools for data analysis. The findings revealed that ICT facilities available for managing students’ records in the school include computers, printers, handsets, photocopiers, and diskettes, among others. The study found that insufficient knowledge and skills on how to operate ICT equipment, ignorance of the advantages of ICT devices, principals' reluctance to use ICT gadgets, inadequate physical facilities/equipment, sporadic disruption of electricity supply and inadequate funds to provide ICT devices were challenges in using ICT to manage students’ academic records in the secondary schools under study. The study, among others, recommended that school teachers and principals should be trained in the use of the latest information technologies and gadgets to be effective and efficient in their performances. Also, Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) should be incorporated into the school curriculum, especially at the secondary school level and the government should put in place power plants in every secondary school in order to solve the issue of disruption in power supply.