Factors influencing the implementation of the information and communication technology policy in public secondary schools in Songea municipality

This study investigated factors influencing implementation of Information and Communication Technology in public secondary schools in Songea Municipal. The study was guided by three research objectives: Examine factors for implementation of Information and Communication Technology in public secondary schools; Assess the role of government and other educational stakeholders in implementation of Information and Communication Technology; and find out the significance of implementation of Information and Communication Technology policy in students’ studies. The study was guided by the conceptual framework developed by the researcher on factors influencing the implementation of Information and Communication Technology. The study was conducted in public secondary schools in Songea Municipal. Purposive and stratified simple random sampling techniques were employed to obtain 48 respondents, comprised of heads of schools, ICT teachers and secondary school students. The study used qualitative approach. Data were collected using interviews, focus group discussions and documentary review. Findings of this study revealed that, there exists Information and Communication Technology in sampled secondary schools. There were factors which affected negatively the implementation of Information and Communication Technology policy, these factors are: high cost of Information and Communication Technology training materials; negative attitude towards new technology; inadequate computer laboratories; insufficient electrical power and little support from the government. Furthermore, findings of this study revealed that, Information and Communication Technology education has a great contribution to students and teachers, because the knowledge helps in teachers and students to enter into new knowledge society, furthermore, the Internet services provides teachers with new knowledge and skills. Moreover, Information and Communication Technology plays a great role in daily lives of people, such as engaging in business activities, generating awareness on gender related issues, HIV/AIDS, drugs and drug abuse, globalization, family life, cultural changes, corruption, climatic changes and so much more. This study recommended that, the government through the Prime Minister’s Office Regional Administration and Local Governments need to allocate enough funds to construct computers’ laboratories and equip them with modern computers. Moreover, the government should make sure that Information and Communication Technology teachers are available in secondary schools.