Factors influencing board of management’s governance of information and communication technology in public secondary schools in Kapseret Division, Uasin Gishu County

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors influencing Boards of management’s governance of ICT resources in public secondary schools in Kapseret division of Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. The study was guided by four objectives namely: To establish the extent to which the BOM’s capacity for provision of facilities influences governance of ICT resources; to establish how the BoM’s attitude towards ICT influences governance of ICT resources; to determine the extent to which the BOM’s management experience influences governance of ICT resources; and to determine the extent to which training on management of BOM members influences governance of ICT resources in public secondary schools in Kapseret division of Uasin Gishu County. The study adopted the descriptive survey design and the main tool for data collection was a questionnaire triangulated with an observation guide. The target population constituted all the 224 Board of Management members and 16 principals in public secondary schools in Kapseret division of Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. The sample size comprised of 5 principals and 23 BOM members. The data analysis was done by use of SPSS where the Chi-square was used to establish the relationship between variables. Through data analysis the study established that budgets on ICT resources are not received or passed on time hence weaknesses in the implementation of ICT programs in the schools especially with regard to maintenance and repairs of ICT resources. It was also established that the BOM’s attitude towards ICT had a significant influence on governance of ICT resource and BOMs in Kapseret make great effort to provide ICT facilities. With regard to BOM’s experience with respect to age, education level and profession held, only the current profession was important as far as ICT staff development was concerned and did not have an effect on other ICT governance evaluation factors such as ICT facilities to student ratio, effective ICT facilities maintenance and effective ICT utilization. The other outstanding results shows that the training of the BOM members plays a key role on the capability of the BOM members to manage ICT resources which the management bodies in Kapseret division largely lacked especially on financial and monitoring and evaluation. Based on the findings of the study the researcher recommends that induction of BOM members especially on their role in the procurement committee be carried out in time before members can assume office and that sensitization programs for members of the BOM on the relevance of ICTs in schools be regularly scheduled. Incentives should also be instituted so as to attract BOM members of various high ranking professions as it has a direct significance on governance of ICT resources. Lastly, since training/workshops have a significant relationship with ICT management, there is need to intensify the training/workshop attendance of BOM memb