Abstract:
Rapid development of Information Communication Technology (ICT) applications in each and every
field has led researchers to investigate the status of ICT utilization in respective sectors. In that sense
it is important to analyze the application of ICT in the education sector.
The purpose of this study is to understand, describe and interpret the availability and usability of ICT
in schools as a means to expand and enhance teaching learning and related administrative tasks in the
Kalmunai Central Zone in Sri Lanka. The descriptive survey approach was used as a research method
and three research questions were formulated for the study. The population consisted of five
famous schools (1AB grade). Purposive sampling technique was used and a total of eighty
participants including five principals, twenty five teachers and fifty students were selected for this
study. Questionnaires with some interviewing and field observation were used as instruments for
gathering data. Data collected were analyzed using frequency tables and simple percentage and
relations.
The results of the study showed that ICT facilities and infrastructure are at a poor level, lack of
leadership support, inadequate school planning, lack of ICT competency, and negative attitudes
towards ICT are major barriers in effective integration of ICT in education. Lack of literature
indicated that there was no research conducted in Kalmunai, on this topic. Recommendations were
then made to the policy makers for future development and integration of ICT for teaching, learning
and administrative tasks.
