Ready or Not, Here ICT Comes: A Case Study on e-readiness and governance in Kenya's Laptop Project

Abstract: This study explores the links between good governance and e-readiness within a case study of Kenya’s Laptop Project – a nationwide ICT-in-Education implementation which aims to give one laptop to every Kenyan child entering primary education. Focus is held through two key questions, (1) How e-ready are Kenyan schools for the Laptop Project? and (2) What role has governance played in this? Research was conducted through a mixed methods approach in seven primary schools, across four regions of Kenya. Emphasis was placed upon qualitative research methods - primarily open-ended interviews, focus groups and participative observation. This body of data was strengthened with the use of a quantitative survey of 80 primary school teachers. Musa’s (2006) Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Cadman’s (2012) model of good governance provided theoretical frameworks. The main findings presented by this paper are (1) e-readiness in our participant schools is low, particularly important are Perceived Ease of Use, Perceived User Resources and Perceptions of the Project, and (2) non-inclusive, unaccountable and centralized governance has contributed directly to this picture. Three specific governance outcomes are highlighted as central to this; initial research and planning which did not reflect local realities, missing knowledge in the schools and over focus on simple laptop provision.