Information Communication Technology (ICT) Facilities Availability and Usage in Rivers State Public and Private Primary Schools

This study examined the use of ICT facilities in Nigerian primary schools and its implications in enhancing the future of the Nigerian child. The study was conducted through survey drawn from 700 primary schools in Rivers State, Nigeria. It comprised 430 public and 270 private primary schools in the State. A 28-item self-constructed instrument with a reliability coefficient of .92 tagged ‘Primary School ICT Use Survey’ was used for data collection. The results showed that primary schools in Rivers State generally have poor access to computers as indicated by approximately 25% of respondents. Primary schools in the State provide pupils with access to ICTs in various forms, except e-mail and internet because most of these schools are not connected (mean 4.00). Problems of funding, lack of teachers’ expertise in using ICT and poor power supply were indicated as factors inhibiting primary schools use of ICTs during lessons. Based on the findings, it was recommended that funding should be increased for the procurement of sufficient ICT facilities, teachers and pupils should be trained to enable them play active role in the use of ICT facilities in teaching and learning. The study recommended further that emphasis be laid on the importance and use of ICTs in the educational development of children in this information age.