Level of Competence of School Heads in Basic Computer Skills: input for Division Ict Training Program

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

The pervasiveness of communication technology around the world necessitates the government to embark on a cohesive and coordinated strategy on how to prepare its citizens to survive, live and thrive in a digital world. The Department of Education, a prime catalyst of change, is confronted also with this demand. This study entitled "Level of Competence of School Heads in Basic Computer Skills: Input for ICT Training Program" determined the level of competence of the school heads in Masbate Province Division in basic computer skills. Primarily the study is an offshoot to responsive and relevant Division ICT Training Program.

METHODS

The study utilized a questionnaire checklist which contains the basic computer skills where the respondents rate their level of competence using a Likert Scale of 1 to 5. The study was conducted among 575 elementary and 120 secondary school heads. Complete enumeration was employed since the study aimed to assess each school head's level of competence to provide them with an ICT training program tailored to their needs.

RESULTS

The results show that only 22.50% of secondary school heads are "very highly competent" in basic computer skills, 13.13% are "highly competent" and 14.79% are "competent". Another significant finding of the study is that half of school heads are "less competent" and "not competent" in basic computer skills. Furthermore, the study revealed that only 15.39% of elementary school heads are "very highly competent" in the enumerated basic computer skills, 12. 21% are "highly competent", 14. 84% are "competent" but a majority are "less competent and not competent".

DISCUSSIONS

The study found that secondary school heads of Masbate Province Division are highly competent in computer operations/concepts and word processing but they are less competent in the use of multimedia, internet, email, and spreadsheets. Similar results were found among elementary school heads. It was found that elementary school heads are highly competent only in word processing. They are less competent in the use of multi-media, internet, email, and spreadsheets. To address the difficulty, the majority of the school heads responded they need technical assistance through ICT skills training and provision of ICT packages with an internet connection. Hence, this study recommends to the ICT unit of the division for a comprehensive ICT skills training and provision of technical support to the schools.