THE ROLE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY IN SERVICE DELIVERY AT THE ANAMBRA STATE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the role of ICT in service at the Anambra State Ministry of Education. To this end, a review of the concept of ICT and the role it plays in service delivery in government ministries was carried out. Two research questions and four research, hypotheses stated in both the null and alternative forms were put forward. Data was collected with the aid of a questionnaire and analysed with the simple percentage and mean analysis method. At the end it was discovered that although the adoption of ICT has had a positive impact on service delivery at the Anambra State Ministry of Education, the Ministry still faces ICT related challenges like high cost of procuring ICT products, inadequate ICT literacy, erratic power supply, network failures and log-jams, high maintenance cost, high cost of training staff to become ICT complaint and high cost of retooling procedures to adapt to ICT services. Based on these findings, it was recommended, among other things, that

1.1  Background to the Study

The world today is shaped by the advancement in the field of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). The relevance of (ICT) Information and Communication Technology to the developments of individuals or organizations, nations and the entire world cannot be over emphasized, (Oyekanmi 2005). Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is therefore seeing as the driving force and enabler for socio-economic developments in most countries. (National ICT Policy and Plan Committee Development, 2004).

Nigeria has come to realize this fact and government at various levels in the country and also adopted this technology towards the overall growth and development of the society. The use of (ICT) Information and Communications Technology in governance is expected to improve decision making, increase citizen participation in economic development, support the modern work force, enhance social well being and narrow the digital divide, (Oyekanmis 2005).

One of the areas in which government has strove to make the impact of (ICT) Information and Communications Technology felt are the ministries. Government ministries are known for gathering, processing, and storing a wide variety of information’s needed for immediate or future purposes. These tasks; however onerouseus they appear are the ones which (ICT) Information and Communications Technology seek to provide an easy and convenient way of accomplishing (Mertz, 2004).

Notwithstanding, Mertz (2004) argues that government ministries in developing communities still have trouble making effective use of (ICT) Information and Communications Technology. They try to move forward in using (ICT) Information and Communications Technology but often do not have the vision and experiences on how to do so. Once they make (ICT) Information and Communications Technology investments, it can be difficult to hire experienced technical staff and educate exciting administrative and program staff. Training is expensive; short lived and seldom fits the individual needs of organization.

It is against this backdrop that this study looks at the role of (ICT) Information and Communications Technology in the service delivery of Anambra State Ministry of Education.

 

1.2  Statement of the Problems

Service delivery in any government ministry involves a wide range of activities such as policy formulation, budget preparation, then drafting of bills, public enlightenment, keeping of official documents etc. Dibier (2003). In trying to accomplish this tasks ministries more often than not relay on information’s and communication Technology (ICT) device in gathering, processing and storing a wide varieties of Information required for immediate or future purposes as regards to this activities.

However, Mertz (2004) urge that government ministries in developing communities still have troubles making effective use of (ICT) Information and Communication Technology. They try to move forward using ICT, but often do not have the visions and experience in how to do so. Then once they make (ICT) Information and Communications Technology Investments, it can be difficult to hire an experienced technical support staff and to educate existing administrative and program staff. Training is expensive short lived and seldom fits the individual needs of the organization.

It is against this backdrop that this study looks at the Anambra State Ministry of Education.

 

 

 

1.3  Objectives of the Study

The objectives of this study are as follows

1. To examine the impact of (ICT) Information and Communications Technology in service delivery at Anambra State Ministry of Education.
2. To identify the constraints to the effective use of (ICT) Information and Communications Technology in service delivery at the Anambra State Ministry of Education.
3. To recommends solution to the problems of effective (ICT) Information and Communication Technology utilization in Anambra State Ministry of Education.

 

 

 

 

1.4  Research Questions

The research question for this study is puts forward as follows:

1. To what extent has the use of (ICT) Information and Communications Technology in Anambra State Ministry of Education?
2. What are the Constraints to the effective use of (ICT) Information and Communications Technology in the service delivery of Anambra State Ministry of Education?

1.5  Significance of the Study

The study is important because:

1. It will provide policy makers and implementers with relevant Information and (ICT) Information and Communications Technology device and how they can be useful in government circles.
2. It will provide (ICT) Information and Communications Technology designers with information’s on the right kind of device that will suite public sectors purposes.
3. The Anambra State Ministry of Education will also find useful Information on how to integrate (ICT) Information and Communications Technology with their work in order to spur service delivery.
4. It will provide those in the academic, students and scholars alike with information that will eventually prove useful in the course of further research.

 

1.6  Hypothesis

For the purpose of this study, the following Hypothesis are put forward:

Hypothesis One

H

1

:   The use of (ICT) Information and Communications Technology in Anambra State Ministry of Education has had a positive impact on the service delivery.

H

0

: The use of (ICT) Information and Communications Technology in Anambra State Ministry of Education has not had a positive impact on service delivery.

Hypothesis Two

H

1

:      The Constraints to the effective use of (ICT) Information and Communications Technology in the service delivery at the Anambra State Ministry of Education are the high cost of procuring (ICT) Information and Communications Technology device and inadequate ICT literacy.

1.7  Scope and Limitations of Study

The scope of the study is narrowed down to the use of (ICT) Information and Communications Technology in the Anambra State Ministry of Education alone.

The study is however limited by a number of factors;

1. Time: Not much time was given for the completion of the work.
2. Finance: The researcher had only little funds at his disposal for the prosecution of the work.
3. Data: The staffs of the Ministry were reluctant in furnishing the researcher with important pieces of information that would have made the research a soaring success.

1.8  Definitions of Terms

For clarification purposes we shall define a number of terms used in this work. The terms are however defined in relation to how they have been employed in the research.

1. ICT: Information and Communication Technology. ICT covers any product that will store, retrieve, manipulate, transmit or receive information electronically in a digital form.
2. IT: Information Technology
3. Service Delivery: The manner in which certain needs are met
4. E-Government: Also known as electronic government it involves the integration of information and communication technology with the processes of governing a people.
5. Government Ministry: An institution created by government for the purpose of assisting in policy formulation and implanting government policies and programmes.