IMPACT OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

(ICT) ON SCHOOL MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Oketunji (2011), stated that, every human being needs to communicate. The human race need to

communicate in a most efficient form and getting the information needed in a timely fashion is

of immense importance. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is basically an

electronic based system of information transmission, reception, processing and retrieval, the

computers for example are used to convert, store, protect, process, transmit and securely retrieve

information. Ehimwenma (2016) pointed that ICT also involves the application of software from

the smallest home to the largest enterprise package and online. Software service and the

hardware needed to the largest global networks operated by major commercial enterprises and of

course the internet ICT at global levels, serves as the driving force for changing business

environment due to its integration into all aspects of the school. Oviogbodu (2018) observed that

effective introduction of ICT in vocational training will facilitate knowledge transfer, and equip

stakeholders (teachers, students, trainees etc) to join on-line learning communities to acquire

managerial techniques and skills to enable them create administrative and productive, school

entities in the Nigeria society.

Schools play a fundamental role in every aspect of a country. They are the foundation upon

which the future generations are built and they are highly relevant on information related to

research, theories principles and experiments relating to education to their students. Hence

schools are highly information intensive and sensitive contribution to their performance.
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The use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is widespread from the most

developed Countries through the developing Countries to the least developed countries although

the extent of overall use of is directly related to the level of development (Khalita 2010).

In this age of globalization, ICT has become a necessity for educational Institutions if they must

survive and compete with rest of the world. Information is one of the major determining factors

to enable school management make the right decision that will affect both the operational and

administrative aspect of the school. ICT tends to optimize the efficiency of recording accounting

interpreting and other functions consequently ICT is totally dependent on structures and sub

systems such as infrastructure, ICT literacy which helps in the processing of information coming

from these systems. An investigation on the impact of ICT in schools in Bauchi was necessary in

order to determine the expected achievement and successes of ICT implementation in the

educational sector. Hence this study examined the general impact of Information and

Communication Technology in the school management. This will reveal the latest trends of ICT

application and effect on schools in the Country with special regard to Bauchi LGA.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Before the advent of information and Communication Technology ICT the preparation

presentation and storage of Education Information were done manually in such that management

decisions were poor and full of errors due to the human factor. Delay in acquiring current

information were a frequent re-occurring problem hindering decisions and the passing of

information to student was also affected. The education sector as the choice or interest of the

study is due to the fact that Information and Communication Technology plays a role in

management and internal control system of school and ultimately the student.

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Recent investments by the World Bank Microsoft in computerization to improve competitiveness

and performance in Nigeria calls for an investigative study and a few of such studies relate to

education.

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The essence of this project is to study the impact of information and Communication technology on the

operation and administration of school management in Bauchi L.G.A. The study will seek to achieve the

following objectives:

i. To study the impact of ICT on student performance

ii. To investigate the extent, the use of ICT has been used to improve management decision.

iii. To investigate the relationship between ICT and school management activity.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

i. What accounts for low support for ICT by school management?

ii. What actions are necessary to get support for ICT by school management?

iii. Is there a link between non-implementation of ICT in schools and the attitude of school

management towards ICT?

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY

This project examines the general impact of Information Communication Technology in schools

– Currently, the educational industry has demonstrated a low amount of application of ICT. The

significance of this project is to evaluate how the education industry has applied ICT. The

significance of this research seeks to understand how computerization of school affects its

management that is how ICT application and use of software program impacts on schools. This

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study shall reveal the benefits of ICT use in the education sector and identify the technology

demands and their legal framework raised by the education sector and the extent to which

demands have been made. This study will aid education policy makers to formulate policies to

make quick decisions regarding the key steps to be taken to ensure compliance to Information

and Communication Technology and the way forward. The study will aid further research on

ICT effects and the Impact of the ICT in an environment. This study will be of great significance

and benefit to school management both private, public school, principals, parents, teacher,

government and the academic community. The tangible and intangible benefits ICT provides

cannot be over-emphasized. ICT has Improved performance by speeding up management

decisions and administration procedures. ICT aids the exchange of confidential information

through secret channels such as school intranets or through password protected websites.

Information and Communication Technology can be used to achieve better student relations by

using student relationship management software to monitor and measure student attitudes. Oliver

Ron (2012) argued that ICT has created more cost efficient processes. Cornoy Martin (2015)

stated that ICT has increased access to resources hence education resource can be accessed

anywhere at any time.

1.6 SCOPE OF STUDY

In this study the researcher sets out to find out the impact of (ICT) on School Management

Information system in Bauchi LGA of Bauchi State. The researcher will conduct the research

throughout some few schools within Bauchi Local Government Area only with reference to

competence, interest, available time and resources. The Local Government was chosen because it

has taken steps towards imbibing ICT culture.

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1.7 LIMITATIONS OF STUDY

As – result of the sensitivity of the topic and also the broad nature of the topic the research

encountered many problems which acted as limiting factors. The cost of interviewing

respondents and printing many questionnaires was taken into consideration in order to minimize

expenses and to ensure that respondents interviewed form enough representative population.

Finance resources limited the research since fund is the major backbone of all forms of healthy

research.

TIME: The time frame set aside for this broad topic is too short Nevertheless, the research tried

to seek for information from available sources. The available time was not enough to be able to

consider a wider respondent population as no length of time may be to be deemed to be adequate.

1.8 DEFINITION OF TECHNICAL TERMS

i. Information – processed data or fact

ii. Information and Communication Technology – Is the acquisition, dissemination and

Communication of pictorial textual and verbal information through the principal

combination of computer and Communication Technology.

iii. Computer – This is an electronic device that work under some special stored programs

with the capacity to accept input, process and generate an output at a very high speed.

iv. Software – these are set of programs or application packages that hand specific task or

function.

v. Programs – These are set of instructions that the computer understands.

vi. Internet – It means international networks it is the inter connectivity of global networks