THE LEVEL OF COMPUTER LITERACY AMONG JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

1.0 Introduction

1.1. Background to the Study

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has taken over the global economy. Most things if not all require ICT to be performed. The education sector is not left out of this as Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has improved the method of teaching and learning; it has made teaching and learning less difficult. Teaching and learning with the aid of ICT has grown beyond the four walls of a classroom to learning from the comfort of one’s apartment.This advancement in technology has equally bridged the digital divide between information rich and poor society. According to Tinio (2002) ICT has the potentials of increasing relevance and quality of education in developing countries and the field of education has been affected by ICT, which have indisputably affected teaching, learning, and research. Many scholars have proven through their works the much benefits of ICT to the quality of education (Yusuf, 2005).

Computer literacy is the ability to use computers to perform a variety of tasks and is becoming fundamental to the learning process (Osuji, 2010). Computer literacy is being able to handle a wide range of varying computer applications for various purposes. Albirini (2004) considers computer literacy as educators’ belief about their computer knowledge and skills.

Due to the fact that state governments in Nigeria needed to fully implement the National Policy on Computer Education in Nigeria’s policy, they introduced computer literacy education across secondary schools in Nigeria in 1997(Bada, Ajibade & Ojedokun, 2009, and Adomi & Kpangban, 2010). The reasons for this are: to introduce the use of computer in teaching, to make the present generation appreciate the use of computer, to make both students and teachers appreciate the benefits of computer to the education sector, and to expose both students and teachers to an unlimited body of knowledge.

Similarly, in the Federal government of Nigeria’s bid to fully implement the use of computer across schools, the National Policy on Information Technology was introduced in 2001 in order to relate the message of computer literacy to secondary schools in the rural areas.

With such policies in place, steps have been taken to improve the use of ICT in both teaching and learning from the primary to the tertiary education.However, the situation in primary and secondary schools across the country has not really improved; as we still witness cases of most schools without computer laboratories and those who try to have are without competent teachers to teach amidst other factors. Computer education is really lacking across junior secondary schools, though some private schools are trying to provide few computers for learning.

A study that was carried out by Jegede and Owolabi (2003) when comparing the Nigeria National Computer Policy of 1987 with what is currently obtainable across secondary schools in Nigeria revealed that computer education is more practiced in Federal unity schools and a few private schools. These schools are located in the urban areas which means that more schools in the urban areas practice computer education compared to schools in the rural areas. A study carried out by Osunwusi and Abifarin (2013) to determine the level of computer literacy revealed that private secondary schools have access to and use computers in teaching and learning compared to public schools. Bearing the current state of computer literacy in the urban areas, the need to study the level of computer literacy among junior secondary school in rural areas generate much questions like:

1. Is computer literacy taught in rural areas?
2. Is computer science taught in junior secondary schools?
3. Are schools in the rural areas implementing the National Policy on Education in Nigeria policy?

These questions call for much concern as this study is meant to examine the level of computer literacy among the junior secondary school students in Kosofe Local government area in Lagos State. Most especially now the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board introduced the use of Computer Based Test (CBT) for its examination. Of which one of the criteria for the exam is that one must be a computer literate; and being a computer literate requires a good foundation like computer being taught right from the primary school.

A student who is taught computer in primary and secondary school will not have problem in JAMB’s examination; that is why it is pertinent for this study to examine the level of computer literacy among the junior secondary school students and make recommendations where necessary to improve computer literacy across junior secondary schools in Lagos State.

1.2. Statement of Problem

Computer literacy has been one of the problems of the education sector in Nigeria, especially in Lagos State considering the current trend of technology.

The level of computer literacy in junior secondary schools across the country is really alarming as most schools do not teach computer at all. Schools who try to teach are more into theory than practical; there are no computers to match theory with practice; schools who have computers have it in limited number.

Similarly, another problem tied to the low level of computer literacy among the junior secondary school is the absence of competent teachers. Some teachers who teach computer science especially in the rural areas are unskilled. They are just good on the basics of computer, and knowledge of this alone cannot give them the avenue to fully educate the students on computer literacy. These are some of the problems this study will give recommendations on.

1.3. Objectives of the Study

The aim of this study is to examine the level of computer literacy among the junior secondary school students in Kosofe Local government area in Lagos State. Specifically, the study intends:

1. To know if there are competent teachers of computer science in Kosofe local government area.
2. To assess the factors that affect computer literacy among junior secondary schools in Kosofe Local government area in Lagos State.
3. To identify ways of improving computer literacy among junior secondary schools in Kosofe local government area.
4. To examine the extent of computer literacy among junior secondary schools in Kosofe local government area.
5. To recommend ways of improving computer literacy in Lagos State.

1.4. Research Questions

The following research questions were asked to guide the study, whereas answer to the following questions will be sought as a basis for testing the hypotheses:

1. Are there competent teachers of computer science in Kosofe local government area?
2. What are the factors that affectcomputer literacy among junior secondary schools in Kosofe Local government area in Lagos State?
3. What are the ways of improving computer literacy among junior secondary schools in Kosofe local government area?
4. What is the extent of computer literacy among junior secondary schools in Kosofe local government area?
5. What are the ways of improving computer literacy in Lagos State?

1.5. Statement of Hypotheses

The hypotheses proposed in this study are stated in the null as follows:

Hypothesis One

Ho: There is no significant relationship between computer literacy and students’ academic performance.

H1: There is a significant relationship between computer literacy and students’ academic performance.

Hypothesis Two

Ho: Junior secondary schools in Kosofe local government area are not well equipped with computer facilities.

Ho: Junior secondary schools in Kosofe local government area are well equipped with computer facilities.

1.6. Significance of the Study

This research study aims to contribute both theoretically to the literature, and practically to the education sector of Nigeria, it shall seek to provide ordinary insight on area concerned with computer literacy, and explore the possibility of improving the level of computer literacy among the junior secondary school student in Kosofe local government area and Nigeria as a whole. It also aims to contribute to the extant literature on the level of computer literacy among the junior secondary school students in Kosofe local government area in Lagos State. In addition, this research study offers recommendations that will improve the level of computer literacy in Nigeria.

The study has the potential of encouraging the government and management of secondary schools to see the need for providing schools with computer facilities in order to improve the level of computer literacy in the country. It will encourage even non-governmental organizations to contribute towards providing secondary schools with computers, computer text books and even internet services.

Finally, this study is also expected to serve as an input to the body of knowledge. It would also be useful to students of tertiary institutions writing their final year projects, as well as lecturers.

1.7. Scope of the Study

The scope of this study covers the level of computer literacy in Nigeria. However, due to logistics, this study has been limited to the study of the level of computer literacy among the junior secondary students in Kosofe local government, Lagos State.

1.8. Limitation of the Study

The following limitations of the study are as follows:

1. Time: This is the first limitation that affected the research study badly because carrying out the study requires time and one can’t afford to miss lecture and embark on a journey to the cost study.
2. Finance: It is another limitation because the study requires enough funds to carry out the research and without the funds the study will not be fruition.

1.9. Definition of Terms

1. Level: A position on a scale of amount, quantity, extent, or quality.
2. Computer Literacy: Is the ability to use computers and related technology efficiently, with a range of skills covering levels from elementary use to programming and advanced problem solving.
3. Junior Secondary School: A school intermediate between an elementary school and a high school, generally for children in the seventh, eighth, and ninth grades.
4. Student: A person formally engaged in learning, especially one enrolled in a school or college; pupil.
5. JAMB (Joint Admission and Matriculation Board): Is a Nigerian entrance examination board for tertiary-level institutions. The board conducts entrance examinations for prospective undergraduates into Nigerian universities. The board is also charged with the responsibility to administer similar examinations for applicants to Nigerian public and private monotechnics, polytechnics, and colleges of educations.