Leveraging Information and Communication Technology for Enhancing Access to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Delta State

Abstract

This study examined ICT integration for improving access to Technical and Vocational Education and Training programmes in Delta State. The study was guided by three research questions and three null hypotheses. A descriptive survey research design was adopted. The population comprised of 1430 respondents from the nine technical colleges. The sample size of 306 respondents were selected from the population of the study. The instruments for data collection was a structured questionnaire titled “Information and Communication Technology for Enhancing Access to TVET Questionnaire (ICT-EATVETQ)”. The instruments were validated by three experts. A reliability coefficient of 0.70 was obtained using Cronbach Alpha. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions, while independent samples t-test was used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that ICT facilities are available in TVET institutions in Delta State. The study also showed that ICT enhances access to TVET programmes. Furthermore, major challenges affecting ICT integration include inadequate infrastructure, poor power supply, insufficient funding, inadequate ICT skills, poor internet connectivity, and inadequate technical support. The hypotheses tested revealed no significant differences in the mean scores of instructors and administrators on ICT availability, ICT-enhanced access, and challenges affecting ICT integration. The study concludes that ICT plays a significant role in enhancing access to TVET programmes in Delta State, although its effective integration is hindered by several infrastructural and capacity-related challenges. It recommends improved funding, stable electricity supply, continuous staff training, better internet connectivity, and provision of modern ICT facilities in TVET institutions.

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