Assessment of ICT Infrastructure on ICT Adoption in Educational Institutions

Abstract

Globalization and liberalization have facilitated intensive business competition which in turn has increased the need for adoption of new technologies to increase the efficiency in service delivery. ICT has wide application in public services: in administration, in the educational system, in the health care sector, and in transportation. This study however focused on education sector specifically in secondary schools in Kiambu county in Kenya. Despite ICT efficiency, potential and seamless role in improving productivity and knowledge transfer in social, economic and political pillars of development, it’s adoption in High schools in Kenya has remained low and limited. The study adopted a descriptive research design approach and targeted all the public and private High schools in Thika district in Kiambu county in Kenya. The findings shows a positive association between the pace of ICT adoption and high infrastructure costs, pace of ICT adoption and inadequate internet connectivity, pace of ICT adoption and absence of clear policy guidelines in public and private High schools in Thika District leading to low ICT usage causing delay of actual technology integration in schools. This study suggests and recommends that; Basic infrastructure acquisition and support guidelines be availed to schools. Equally the School ICT infrastructure be tax waived or zero rated to address costs of ICT facilities and connectivity to enhance the ICT adoption and improve quality of services and knowledge dissemination through ICT diffusion in High schools and athwart the entire education sector.