Use of internet by education
4.6 Computer availability at home or work place and internet connection .1 School managers
All the respondents interviewed have computers at their respective schools. Only 3 out of 8 schools (37, 5%) that have computers are connected to the internet and 5 out of 8 (62.5) are not connected to the internet. Educators and learners use computers at schools although some schools do not allow learners to use the computers. Educators use internet services to improve learning and teaching. Learners use internet services to get information for their home works and assignments. From the results, it is clear that on average the high number of the respondents have not connected to computers at their respective schools. The situation on the ground is appealing for more internet connection at schools, as learners and teachers may not be able access a pool of information from their computers without internet connection. Some schools indicated
that internet services improved performances at their schools. Internet services are significant at schools because they have an impact on good results.
4.6.2 Hospital
The hospital has an information center where there are enough computers that are connected to the internet. The hospital has intranet as well. The human resource staff is responsible for the operation of the information centre. The internet and intranet services are helping the hospital with the general administration of the hospital, communication and information. They are able to order medicine for patients, send and receive messages from head office and register patients.
4.6.3 Home users
The study shows that 5 out of 8 (62, 5%) have computers at home. From the respondents who have computers, only 2 out of 8 (25%) are connected and 3 out of 8 (37, 5%) are not connected. 1 out of 5 (20%) percent of the respondents who have computers do have computers both at home and at work. Computers at work are connected to the internet. Approximately 3 out of 8 (37, 5%) do not have computers at all. Learned parents and tertiary students mostly use computers at home. Computers are used for communication purposes, i.e., sending and receiving information and study purpose. The research results clearly show that there are a high percentage of respondents who are not connected to the internet. 1 out of 3(33%) is relying on the computers at work for internet services. The status quo is appealing for more internet connections. The community need to mobilize for more internet infrastructure and services.
4.6.4 Business
About 5 out of 8 (62, 5%) of these business owners have computers at home and at work and their computers are all connected to the internet. About 2 out of 8 (25%) do not have computers at home and have access to computer at work. The computers at the work place are connected to the internet. Business owners and managers mainly use internet services for on-line business. Business owners use internet services for
The above results suggest that most business owners are connected and on average, they have a skill to use internet services. The reason for connection is that their business activities compel them and they are able to afford it.
4.6.5 Police station
The police station has got computers in the top management offices that are connected to the internet. The station commissioner and his assistants use computers for communication, data search and to link the station with other police stations. One would expect the smooth running of the station, but conversely, there are only few computers and other police officials find it difficult to access them. Internet services are not utilized to the maximum level. Budgeting for more computers and internet services for all police officers should be a priority.
4.6.6 Students
The results show that 3 out of 8 (37, 5%) of respondents do have computers at home.
Only 1 out 3 (33%) of those who have computers is connected to the internet. About 2 out of 8 (25%) students access internet services at their institutions. Only 2 out of 3 (60%) of those who have computers are able to access internet services both at the institution and at home. 3 out 8 (37,5) cannot operate computers. They do not have the skill. The students use internet services mostly for assignments, home works, research works and communications. The percentage having computers is too little and a larger percentage of students are still struggling to access the internet services. The reason for not being connected ranges from costs to internet infrastructure unavailability.
Subsidized internet connection at institutions such as schools and of higher learning can alleviate the situation.
4.6.7 Municipality
All respondents from the municipality have computers that are connected to the internet.
The human resource management staff uses computers. The internet services help the municipality to communicate with clients (internet enabled clients), to better the administration and data search; i.e., to access government policies. The municipality as
the custodian of service delivery and development has got a financial strength to buy enough computers and to maintain internet services. It should partner with NGOs and community based organizations to deliver services to the community.
In summary, the availability of computers at home and at work shows some relationships with the usage. The higher percentage of respondents from business, municipality, hospital, and police station recorded a higher use of internet services whereas respondents from school and from home recorded an average use of internet services. Availability of computers also shows some relationship with affordability. The respondents who cannot afford may struggle to get internet infrastructure like a computer.