An exploratory study on effective use of ICT in management of secondary schools in Tanzania: a case of Dar es Salaam schools

This study explored the effective use of ICT in the management of secondary schools in Dar es Salaam city. Qualitative approach was applied in this study, where interview, questionnaire, documentary and observations were used as methods for collecting data. Based on the key findings of the study, it was discovered that there were no significant differences on school heads’ and the supporting staffs’ gender, age, education and experience towards the use of ICT facilities in schools. The findings revealed that the little knowledge and skills the school heads and the supporting staff had together with readiness, awareness and positive perception/attitude which they had were one step ahead towards effective use of ICT in the management of secondary schools. The study observed low effective use of ICT in the management of most secondary schools in Tanzania. Therefore, suggested conditions or strategies were given to stakeholders that the government and other individual school owners should invest enough in ICT facilities in schools; train teachers adequately in ICT knowledge/skills, train students on basic ICT skills; buy computer software such as Ms/Word, Ms/Excel, Ms/PowerPoint, Ms/Access, Ms/Publisher and make regular computer maintenance for its sustainability. Recommendation for further studies, first the study covered few secondary schools in one region of Tanzania. For this reason, there is a need for researchers to conduct a related study in other regions. Secondly, since the study was based on the effective use of ICT in the management of secondary schools, the study suggests that investigating methods for ICT professional development (pre and in-service training) is needed by the school heads and the supporting staff for the success of ICT use in the management of secondary schools in Tanzania.