Training and Development Needs of Information and Communication Technology Teachers in Junior High Schools in Mfantseman Municipality of Ghana

Abstract

The introduction of ICT as a subject into the JHS curriculum was a good and bold innovation but it was accompanied with numerous challenges including lack of proper training for the ICT teachers and inadequate ICT infrastructure which has led to non-performance of JHS students at the BECE. The study therefore investigated the training and development needs of the ICT teachers in the Mfantseman Municipality of Ghana. Descriptive survey was employed considering my desire to obtain first hand data from the ICT teachers. The data were collected by means of questionnaire and classroom observation instrument with the assistance of 5 field workers, using a census method of 120 ICT teachers from 120 JHS in the municipality over a period of 13 weeks .The mass survey data was collected and classified. The criteria ‘50% or above’ was adopted to make a value judgment to determine the training needs of the teachers. The results were presented in graphs and tables of frequencies and percentages to display the data. The findings revealed that 112 (93%) of teachers perceived the introduction of the ICT curriculum as ‘good’ based on its usefulness. ICT infrastructure was also relatively available and accessible except for internet connectivity. Also, 110 (91.7%), teachers need improvement in Hardware, 107 (89%) in Newer application, and 89 (74%) Spreadsheet. They also need improvement in pedagogy. Based on these findings some recommendations were proffered including conduction of In-service training relevant and responsive to the training needs uncovered.