Utilization of Information Technology Laboratories in Secondary Schools: Perceptions of IT Teachers and Available Facilities in Malakand Division, Pakistan

Abstract

The paper has explored the use of Information Technology (IT) laboratories and how IT teachers perceive its effectiveness in secondary schools in Malakand Division, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The study was quantitative in nature, descriptive, and cross-sectional. Stratified random and purposive sampling methods were used to sample a sub-population of 220 teachers (including all 55 IT teachers and 165 randomly selected Secondary School Teachers (SSTs) in English, Mathematics and Science subjects) in two purposely selected districts (Dir Lower and Malakand). Data were collected with the help of structured questionnaires and an interview schedule and processed with the help of descriptive statistics in SPSS version 20. The results found to be dire shortages in IT laboratory facilities. The labs were being used at 60-65 percent of the minimum possible capacity and there was a dire lack of computers, laptops, multimedia equipment, headphones, servers, tablets, software licenses, UPS systems and internet connectivity to students. There was also a lack of staffing, qualified IT teachers and lab attendants. The negative attitude of the IT teachers to the current conditions in the labs was also observed as they indicated that the lack of resources is a major problem in the lack of effective teaching-learning processes and the acquisition of digital skills in the students. The report concludes that the current IT laboratories are not well equipped to facilitate current IT education. Hardware and software upgradation, improvement in power backup, internet connectivity and improvement in human resources to ensure these labs are effective and functional are some of the urgent measures that are recommended to be taken.

Keywords: IT lab, secondary school, education technology, access to resources, teacher attitudes, Malakand Division, Pakistan.