An investigation of ICT skills among Tamil language teachers in primary schools and the adequacy of ICT facilities: A quantitative study

Abstract

This research delves into an examination of the ICT skills possessed by Tamil language teachers in primary schools and assesses the adequacy of ICT facilities available at the school level. In light of the ongoing transition from traditional teaching methods to information-based strategies, the Malaysian Ministry of Education has implemented the Malaysian Education Development Plan 2013-2025 to promote the integration of ICT among teachers. This study focuses specifically on Tamil language teachers, aiming to determine whether their ICT skills align with the available ICT resources in their respective schools. The investigation highlights various challenges faced by teachers, including limited budgets for ICT, hardware constraints, lack of English training to effectively utilize ICT, inadequate support, and insufficient time allocated for ICT-related activities. Conducted as a quantitative study, the research involved a sample of 60 Tamil teachers. The findings reveal that the ICT capability of Tamil language teachers stands at a moderate level, while the ICT facilities in their schools fall short of meeting their requirements. This underscores the correlation between teachers' interest in using ICT in their teaching practices and the availability of suitable facilities to support their endeavors. In conclusion, this study emphasizes the critical role played by ICT facilities in schools in facilitating the effective use of ICT-based teaching aids, enhancing the ICT skills of teachers, and promoting an environment conducive to effective teaching and learning. Consequently, the research strongly advocates for schools to provide adequate and appropriate ICT facilities to empower teachers in making optimal use of ICT in their teaching practices.