Publication Details
Abstract
This study investigated the impact of principals’ use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on the management of public secondary schools in Jalingo Education Zone, Taraba State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study examined three objectives and three research question and three hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The population comprised 1,835 teachers drawn from 43 public secondary schools in Jalingo and Ardo-Kola Local Government Areas of Taraba State. A sample of 313 teachers was selected using the Krejcie and Morgan sampling table and simple random sampling technique. Data were collected using a researcher-developed instrument titled Principals' Information and Communication Technology Use and Management Questionnaire. The instrument was validated by experts in Measurement and Evaluation and Educational Administration and Planning, while its reliability was established through a pilot study using Cronbach's Alpha, which yielded an overall reliability coefficient of 0.83. Data collected were analyzed using mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions, while Chi-square statistics were used to test the null hypotheses at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that principals' ICT competence, frequency of ICT use, utilization of various ICT tools of public secondary schools in Jalingo Education Zone. The study concluded that effective integration of ICT by principals enhances administrative efficiency, communication, record management, supervision, and decision-making in secondary schools. It was recommended, among others, that the Taraba State Government and the Post Primary Schools Management Board should provide adequate ICT facilities in schools, organize regular ICT capacity-building programmes for principals, ensure reliable internet connectivity, and formulate policies that encourage the effective integration of ICT into school management practices.