Abstract

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) became the fundamental pillar of the society in a short span of time and became integral part of every field of life. Education stands as a key area for leveraging ICT, which has the potential to transform teaching methods, and learning processes. To successfully integrate the ICT in education, it’s essential to conduct a research and assessments, to determine the various factors including infrastructure, funding, teacher training, and policy support. The aim of this study is to conduct an environmental scan to assess the effectiveness and assessment of ICT integration in primary education within the public sector schools of School Education & Literacy Department, Govt. of Sindh. A mixed methods approach was employed in this study to gather comprehensive data. This study centered on four objectives: the first three objectives are quantitative in nature, whereas the last objective is qualitative. The 1 st objective assesses the effect of ICT integration on Grade V students’ academic performance. Pretests and posttests were used to collect the data from 310 students, while the Difference in Differences model was used to analyze it. Contrary to expectations, the results indicated a negative effect of the intervention. This prompts further investigation into the availability of ICT infrastructure and teachers’ competencies. The 2 nd objective evaluates the existing ICT infrastructure using a survey method to collect data from head teachers of 24 schools in the Hyderabad district. Cross-tab analysis reveals significant gaps, such as only 5 out of 24 schools having computer labs. The 3 rd objective examines the ICT-related knowledge and competencies of teachers. To address this objective, a survey method was used to collect data from 172 government teachers. Descriptive statistical analysis techniques were then used for analysis. The findings reveal significant gaps in teachers’ ICT knowledge and highlight the necessity for targeted professional development programs. The fourth objective explores stakeholders’ perspectives on ICT integration through thematic analysis of in-depth interviews. Thematic analysis identified potential benefits, challenges, and policy recommendations for effective ICT integration. In light of the review of existing policies and findings, this study proposes a policy framework for the successful integration of ICT in primary education in Sindh. This framework suggests establishing a Provincial Program Implementation Unit (PPIU) within the SELD, Government of Sindh, as stakeholder involvement is essential for sustainability. The findings of the study reveal that successful ICT integration requires ongoing support and resources, emphasizing the importance of stakeholder involvement for sustainable educational improvements.