GENDER DIFFERENCES IN THE UTILIZATION OF ICT AND CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT COMPETENCIES AMONG RETIRED VOCATIONAL EDUCATORS IN PRIVATE SECONDARY SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION IN ABIA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examined gender differences in the utilization of ICT and classroom management competencies among retired vocational educators in private secondary school administration in Abia State. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. Two research questions guided the study, and two null hypotheses were tested at the 0.05 level of significance. The population comprised 218 retired vocational educators in private secondary schools in Abia State. The purposive sampling technique was adopted because the population was manageable. Data was collected using a researcher-developed instrument. The instrument was duly validated by experts in the field, while a reliability coefficient of 0.93 was obtained using the Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient method. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions, while an independent samples t-test was used to test the hypotheses at a 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that ICT competencies are utilized to a great extent. Similarly, classroom management skills were found to be largely utilized. The hypotheses tested showed no significant difference between male and female retired vocational educators in their utilization of ICT and classroom management competencies in school administration. The study concluded that both ICT and classroom management competencies are essential and are effectively utilized by retired vocational educators in private secondary school administration, irrespective of gender. It was recommended that retired vocational educators be provided with opportunities for continuous ICT training to enhance their digital competencies, among others