Examining the effectiveness of ICTs in teaching business studies in secondary schools: A case study of public secondary schools in Lusaka

The primary objective of this study was to examine the effectiveness of ICTs in teaching business studies in secondary schools, using a case study of public secondary schools in Lusaka. The study employed a descriptive research design, targeting 10 Ministry of Education officials and 90 secondary school teachers, resulting in a sample size of 100 respondents. Data collection was primarily through structured questionnaires, and SPSS software was utilized for data analysis. Therefore, this study was informed by the following objective; to examine the extent to which ICTs are utilized for curriculum delivery and lesson planning in business studies, to assess the perceptions of students regarding the effectiveness of ICTs in enhancing their learning experience in business studies and to Investigate the challenges hindering effective ICT integration in teaching business studies. Findings indicated that 63% of the respondents perceived ICTs to significantly enhance engagement in business studies, while 35% noted that ICTs were integrated equally for content delivery and student interaction. In terms of curriculum development, 37.5% of respondents indicated that learning management systems were the most utilized tools, followed by interactive simulations at 35%. Regarding students' perceptions, 42% believed that ICTs greatly improved their ability to apply theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios, while 52.5% found ICTs moderately effective in providing timely feedback. Major challenges identified included infrastructure limitations (32%) and lack of teacher training (28%). The study emphasized that positive teacher attitudes (50%) are crucial for ICT adoption, while professional development and improved technological infrastructure were proposed as key strategies for overcoming barriers. Overall, the study underscores the importance of strategic investments and supportive policies to optimize ICT integration in business studies teaching and learning in Lusaka.