Abstract

This study examines the challenges faced by Kenyan secondary school principals in the use of ICT in enhancing school management. The study investigated computer literacy levels of secondary school principals, challenges faced by principals in integrating ICT for management and acquiring computer hardware and software, extent in which ICT is being used in management and the recommendations which can enhance the principals use ICT for management. The target groups of schools under the study were schools situated in a rural district where we have weak infrastructure and limited facilities in terms of transportation and other means of communication. The study was conducted in 30 secondary schools in Nyamira District in Kenya selected purposefully using availability of electricity as the criteria for selection. Data collection methods included closed and open ended questionnaires for the principals and observation. The data collected was analyzed by tabulating the responses from the 30 respondents and processed manually using frequency counts and percentages. The study findings showed that ICT as a management tool was not used effectively to address management issues. The study also revealed that ICT was being used for clerical issues and to a limited extent on little management issues particularly the processing of examinations. The major challenges facing the principals was lack of funds to acquire computer hardware and software, lack of exposure on the capabilities of ICT to ease management work, and lack of adequate training in ICT for the principals. The findings of the study suggest that for successful implementation of ICT for management in Kenyan secondary schools, strategies that include the financing of ICT infrastructure by the government and other stakeholders, capacity building and the formulation of an ICT policy is required to address the issue of management in secondary schools. Equally adaptation of strategies used elsewhere in the world could be employed.