ICT in Schools, the Politics of Laptop Distribution: Implication on Students’ Academic Performance in Osun State Secondary Schools, Nigeria

Abstract

The study was conducted to assess the impact of mini-laptop computers (Opon Imo) distributed to public schools’ students on their academic performance in Osun State secondary schools. The quasi-experimental research of the descriptive survey type was the design of the study while the population of the study was made up of 24975 2431 and 22750 students who sat for the WASCE examinations in the years 2011, 2012 and 2013 respectively in Osun State secondary schools. A census sampling technique was used in making use of the results of all the students who sat for the examination in the core subjects of the three years. In those years, candidates were stratified into Arts, Commercials and Science subjects. Students’ examination scores and grades in WASCE in the years 2011, 2012 and 2013, as well as a self-designed proforma, were used as instruments in the study. Frequency counts and percentage scores were used in analyzing the data collected. Findings indicated that personal computer (open IMO) usage was not improving students’ academic performance in Osun State secondary schools. In the study, it was recommended that the government in Osun State should endeavor to always involve the teachers in formulating policies that will affect their job performance in the schools. Teachers in Osun State secondary schools should be trained to be computer literate and should be given a laptop each, as it was given to students. Seminars and workshops should be organized from time to time for the teachers to improve their skills and update their knowledge in the manipulation of ICT equipment in schools amongst others.