Assessing the effects of the integration of ICT into the curriculum of rural basic schools in Atwima Nwabiagya District in the Ashanti Region of Ghana.

Abstract

This study looked at the challenges facing the Ministry of Education and other stakeholders and efforts being made to address the ICT situation in some schools based in rural areas in the Atwima District of Ghana. The design for the study was a descriptive survey. The sample was made up of 105 people drawn from 6 selected basic schools in the Atwima District of Ashanti Region. The main instrument used for the study was questionnaire. After pilot testing, reliability co-efficients of .75 for students' questionnaire and .72 for both teachers and headmasters' questionnaire respectively were obtained. The following were some of the main findings of the study; first, 70% of the basic schools in the districts have been connected to the national electricity grid but power supply is irregular. Second, none of the schools has computer laboratory or internet facility. Third, there is an inadequate computer supply to the schools. Fourth, most of the ICT teachers have the requisite qualification to teach the subject. Finally, there is lack of financial and material support from non governmental agencies Based on the findings it was recommended that: stakeholders should make effort to streamline regular electricity supply to the schools. Second, Government should provide computer laboratories to facilitate internet connectivity in at least each educational circuit. Third, there should be adequate supply of computers and teaching and learning materials.