The impact of ICT revolution in enhancing rural education: a case study of Ward 9 schools in Mudzi North

Abstract

The study was assessing the impact of ICT revolution in enhancing rural education. The study was carried out in three secondary schools in Ward 25 of Mudzi district. The study was conducted to assess how ICT is being used to enhance the quality of education, improving teaching and learning process, assisting educational management as well as improving educational outcomes such as better academic performances and opportunities for both pupils and the school. The study also assessed the levels of ICT access by teachers and pupils analysing whether ICT is being used for educational purposes or not. The research used a qualitative approach to explore the topic under study. Questionnaires and interviews were used as part of the data gathering instruments. On sampling, purposive sampling method was used to obtain data from participants who were themselves school teachers, school administrators and school pupils. The major findings of the study revealed that the use of ICT in the education curriculum is still at initial stages as teachers are now beginning to appreciate new technology. Few teachers and pupils were noted as having skills and competence on ICT which they were using for teaching and learning purposes. ICT was also contributing tremendously to the educational management systems in schools. Though the subject of ICT is still not popular in the district, teachers and school heads admitted that it has a potential of bringing positive changes in the learning and teaching process and can improve academic outcome, boosts student confidence and motivates them in their studies. The study also noted some challenges to the utilisation of ICT in the district with factors such as: poor electricity supply, lack of computer literacy and confidence within the teachers, poor ict infrastructure in schools, lack of financial resources to support the expansion of ICT amongst other factors. The research brought forward some recommendations to assist ICT initiative in schools such as monitoring of ICT schemes, alternative source of energy, increase computer density at schools amongst other factors.