Provision of ICT Facilities and their Usage at Kigali Institute of Education

ABSTRACT This study set out to investigate the provision of ICT facilities and their usage at Kigali Institute of Education. Answers were sought to the following questions: o What is the level of provision of ICT facilities at Kigali Institute of Education? o In which activities ICT facilities are being used at Kigali Institute of Education? o What determines the readiness of Kigali Institute of Education to become an ICT-enabling environment? In total, 33 academic staff, 2 deans, 4 heads of departments and 95 students fulfilled all criteria set out for respondents’ selection and hence formed the sample of this research. Data were collected using questionnaires, field survey and interviews. Both qualitative and quantitative analyses were done depending of the character of the data collected. The overall findings show that ICT facilities exist and efforts have been made to increase their numbers. These facilities have enabled students and staff to acquire necessary basic computer skills. However, the existing ICT facilities are still insufficient considering the number of staff and students. Indeed, their maintenance and effective use for academic purposes are still big challenges and their integration in teaching and learning is still superficial. This study recommends that Kigali Institute of Education curriculum be developed to integrate ICT usages. It also suggests some strategies for effective use and maintenance of existing ICT facilities. Lastly, it encourages further researches in the area of ICT in higher education.