THE EXTENT OF AVAILABILITY AND USES OF COMPUTERS IN STATE AND PRIVATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS (A CASE STUDY OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ENUGU METROPOLIS)
ABSTRACT
This study investigated the extent of availability and uses of computer in teaching and learning in the state and private secondary schools. The study was designed to find out some factors that are responsible for any difference between the two types of schools. In order to do this effectively, five research questions were asked and answered. The literature related to the study was reviewed under the following factors. Areas where computer is used, kinds of software/Application programs, spread sheet, internet, graphical packages, attitudes of students towards computer learning and computer studies curriculum. The design of the study is survey. The area of the study is Enugu metropolis. The population of the study was 71502. The sample of the study was 4000. The sampling technique was random sampling. The instrument used is questionnaire. The instrument was validated by two experts in the school of Science Education. The reliability of the instrument was obtained using test – retest method. Data obtained were analysed using rate scale and decision rule. Results showed that there are more computers in state secondary schools more than in private secondary schools and the application software learned by the school are spreadsheet, word processor and windows. Also the result showed that some schools do not have computer laboratory and also, there is limited power supply. Conclusively students in state government schools use more computer than students in private secondary schools which indicate better achievement by students in state secondary school. Finally, the researchers suggest that both state schools and private schools should be equipped with computers and softwares or computer materials.