Exploring the Utilization of Technology in Secondary School Administration for Economic Growth

The study explored the extent of utilization of technology in secondary school administration for economic growth in Abakaliki education zone of Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Descriptive survey design was adopted in conducting the study. Data were collected from all the 59 public secondary school administrators in the zone. The census approach was adopted in drawing the population because they were manageable. A 20-item instrument titled: Utilization of Technology in Secondary School Administration for Economic Growth Survey (UTSSAEGS) was developed, validated and employed for data collection in consonant with the support of three research assistants. The instrument was tested for reliability using Cronbach Alpha at a statistical index .89 which was adjudged good enough for data collection. The collected data were analysed using mean and standard deviation. Findings revealed that that the extent of utilization of technology in secondary school administration, records keeping and financial management in the study area is quite limited according to the perceptions of participants. It was also found that male administrators on average reported greater technology utilization than females in the zone, which conclusively suggests the presence of potential gender-based disparities in access, comfort, or attitudes towards technology integration within the educational administration. It is therefore recommended among others that the State government should develop and implement gender-inclusive policies and programmes that promote equal access, opportunities, and skills development in technology utilization for both male and female school administrators, ensuring equity in the adoption and application of digital tools in secondary school administration for economic growth.

  Keywords: Technology utilization, Secondary school administration, Educational technology, Economic growth, Ebonyi state.