Challenges in Teaching Computer Science in Public Secondary Schools: Pakistani Context

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify the challenges in teaching computer science in public secondary schools of Pakistan. To answer the research questions, a survey questionnaire was constructed for IT Teachers. The population of the study was 244 SSTs (IT) of public secondary schools in District Attock. In total, 125 Secondary School Teachers (SSTs-IT) were selected as sample of the study. The study concludes that IT Teachers are facing several internal as well as external challenges. For instance, lack of IT infrastructure; lack of latest equipment in IT labs which are not up to date due to shortage of funds, IT Teachers have to teach other subjects which, no doubt, affects their prime duty which is teaching of Computer Science, and additional duties like clerical works, online data entry of students and teachers are also given to them in school. External challenges include, lack of professional development opportunities for in-service teachers, lack of student’s access to computers at home and minimum support from parental side due to higher illiteracy rate among them. Hence, to conclude, there is a need to provide administrative support and enough resources specifically to the teachers teaching computer science so they may be able to overcome the challenges they face.