Barriers to effective teaching of Computer Studies in selected government junior secondary schools of Mwansabombwe District in Luapula Province

Abstract

The study aimed at investigating the barriers to the effective implementation of computer studies curriculum in selected junior public secondary schools of Mwansabombwe District (MWD) in Kuapula province. The study further sought to establish the availability of ICT infrastructure and equipment in the selected schools. It also sought to establish the effects of teacher training and exposure to ICT on the implementation of computer studies curriculum in MWD. The third objective was to explore the measures that could be put in place to enhance the implementation of computer studies curriculum in the selected schools in MWD. The target population was 15 junior public secondary schools in the District. A descriptive survey design was used. Purposive sampling techniques and simple random sampling techniques were used to select a study sample of 10 schools. Additionally, 34 respondents were captured as follows: 10 headteachers, 20 computer teachers and 4 Education Standards Officers (ESOs). Purposive sampling technique was used to select the 10 headteachers and the 4 ESOs. Purposive sampling technique and simple random sampling technique were used to select the 20 computer ! studies teachers. An Interview guide was used to obtain information from the Headteachers and ESOs while questionnaire guide was administered to the teachers. An Observation Checklist was also used by the researcher. The data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics and presented in tables, charts and graphs. This study established that only 10% of the schools sampled had implemented computer studies curriculum effectively. Inadequate funds to procure computers, their accessories and set up infrastructures such as computer laboratories, lack of trained computer teachers and inadequate revision materials were found to be the major challenges in the implementation process. Based on the research findings, the researcher recommended that the government should provide grants to schools to procure more computers, their accessories and set up infrastructure such as computer laboratories and enhance the connection of the secondary schools with fibre optic cables to enhance easier internet access. The MOGE should also recruit computer teachers in all public junior secondary schools.