COST IMPLICATIONS OF COMPUTER NETWORKING IN SENIOR HIGH SCHOOLS IN KUMASI METROPOLIS

ABSTRACT

The study sought to investigate which Local Area Network (LAN) equipment were affordable to Senior High Schools in Ghana and if some of these equipment were already available for LAN formation. The study also attempted to establish how knowledgeable were users of the LAN with respect to the cost of setting up, the annual cost of operation, and amount of money provided by stakeholders and donor agencies for funding the local area network. The descriptive survey design was used for the study. Thirty-eight Senior High Schools and 228 research participants were purposively selected from the Kumasi metropolis. The questionnaire was the main instrument and was composed of 36 items. Other sources of data were through the internet, daily news print and journals at libraries. The return rate of questionnaires was 88% or 201 of the 228. The findings revealed that most hardware equipment and internet connectivity devices were affordable to the schools. This ranged from server computers to LCD projectors and wireless routers. Vacuum cleaner as an optional equipment was the least affordable. Also, most schools were not aware of Ghana Education Service (GES) procurement rules on ICT equipment and services. The study noted that ICT equipment, also known as hardware and software infrastructure and services required for Local Area Network set up and operation were affordable, and most of these equipment were available to the Senior High Schools in Kumasi. The recommendations made include the adoption of policy guidelines that empower Senior High Schools in Kumasi to generate more funds. These funds should be meant for the establishments of well equipped Local Area Networks.