The Exigency of ICT Resources on Teaching and Learning in South African Primary Schools
Mfanelo Pat Ntsobi*
Sci-Bono Discovery Centre, Johannesburg and Global Centre for Academic Research, Gauteng 2107, South Africa
*Corresponding Author: Mfanelo Pat Ntsobi, Sci-Bono Discovery Centre, Johannesburg and Global Centre for Academic Research, Gauteng 2107, South Africa.
Published: November 05, 2024
DOI: 10.55162/MCET.07.243
Abstract
The transformative implications of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on the teaching and learning fraternity has necessitated its integration in the classroom, globally. Nevertheless, it is important to note that the quest for integration in individual school contexts remains an uphill task despite ICT integration being a policy prerogative in a number of countries. This survey has the sole objective of unpacking how the teaching and learning process has been affected due to lack of ICT resources. By use of a simple questionnaire, the researcher made use of semi-structured interviews in order to solicit data from educators in selected South African primary schools. The interviews were transcribed manually and coded. The data analysis process was conducted by use of a thematic mode of analysis. The findings demonstrated that, due to several reasons, many schools do not make use of ICT tools in teaching and learning, as expected, and in most cases, they do not maximise the use of the existing resources, thus affecting the teaching and learning processes. The reasearcher recommends that the South African Department of Basic Education (DBE) seriously take into consideration individual school contexts when allocating ICT resources in order to try and mitigate the challenges. Stepping up monitoring and evaluation mechanisms that currently exist will help identify contextual challenges and help with providing assistance where necessary. Security issues also call for schools to team up with local communities to try and fight the theft and vandalisation of IT resources. All these measures are meant to facilitate the preservation and use of ICT resources in the classroom for the improvement of the learning process.
Keywords: Primary education; ICT integration; information and communication technology; teaching and learning
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