INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN SOCIAL SCIENCE (IJRISS)
ISSN No. 2454-6186 | DOI: 10.47772/IJRISS | Volume IX Issue XI November 2025
time for Chemistry (Nsabayezu, et al., 2022). Even when Chemistry teachers secure access, the time allocated
is often irregular and inconsistent with the curriculum, reducing opportunities for planned ICT-enhanced
instruction. Students face similar accessibility challenges. School policies frequently restrict unsupervised use
of computer laboratories for security reasons. In addition, concerns about equipment damage or virus infections
lead some schools to prohibit students from operating laboratory computers independently, limiting their ability
to undertake Chemistry-related digital exploration, virtual experiments, or multimedia-based revision.
Accessibility is also shaped by infrastructural and socio-economic constraints. Many rural schools experience
unreliable electricity supply, frequent blackouts, and voltage fluctuations, which undermine the stability required
for ICT-based instruction (Mckay, 2019). Internet connectivity, where available, is often limited to
administrative blocks, or too expensive for sustained classroom use. This digital isolation prevents teachers from
accessing online Chemistry resources, simulations, or instructional videos. Further, the absence of dedicated ICT
technicians means that malfunctioning equipment remains out of service for prolonged periods, discouraging the
use of technology due to fear of inevitable disruptions (Kiptalam & Rodrigues, 2019). Budget constraints
exacerbate these challenges, forcing rural schools to prioritize essential expenditures over ICT repairs and
upgrades. Collectively, literature demonstrates that while ICT hardware may be present in schools, accessibility
is hindered by scheduling conflicts, infrastructural deficiencies, technical failures, and socio-economic
disparities. These factors severely limit teachers’ capacity to integrate ICT into daily Chemistry instruction and
restrict students’ opportunities to engage in meaningful, technology-enabled learning activities.
The reviewed literature highlights the importance of ICT availability and accessibility in enhancing Chemistry
teaching, particularly through tools that support visualization and virtual laboratory experiences. However,
several gaps persist. Most studies examine ICT integration broadly across subjects rather than focusing on
Chemistry, which has unique pedagogical demands. Existing research also concentrates on urban or well-
resourced schools, leaving limited understanding of ICT challenges in rural counties such as Nyamira. Although
some studies note the presence of ICT devices, few investigate their actual usability, despite evidence that
available hardware may remain inaccessible due to administrative restrictions, overcrowded laboratories, or
competing departmental priorities. There is also insufficient empirical data on Chemistry-specific digital
resources, including simulations and virtual labs. Furthermore, many studies rely on self-reported data without
incorporating observational evidence to verify the true condition and distribution of ICT facilities. This study
addresses these gaps by examining both availability and accessibility of ICT resources for Chemistry education
in rural Nyamira County.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
This study employed a descriptive survey research design, which was appropriate for assessing the existing
status of ICT availability and accessibility in the teaching and learning of Chemistry without manipulating any
variables (Kothari, 2010). The target population consisted of 2820 Form Three Chemistry students, 59 Chemistry
teachers, and 33 school principals in secondary schools in Nyamira County, selected because of their direct
involvement in oversight of Chemistry instruction and ICT usage. A multi-stage sampling strategy was used to
draw respondents from this population: simple random sampling was applied to select Form Three students to
ensure equal representation, purposive sampling was used to identify Chemistry teachers due to their specialized
knowledge and experience with ICT integration, and stratified random sampling was employed for principals to
capture all institutional perspectives from the selected schools. Data were collected using three main instruments:
student questionnaires to obtain learners’ perceptions of ICT access and use during Chemistry lessons; teacher
questionnaires and structured interview schedules to gather detailed information on resource availability,
usability, and the challenges experienced in employing ICT for instruction; and observation schedules to verify
physical ICT infrastructure, including the number and functionality of computers, laboratory layout,
connectivity, and availability of Chemistry-specific digital tools. To ensure validity, the instruments were
reviewed by experts in educational technology and refined based on their feedback, while reliability was tested
through a pilot study, yielding acceptable Cronbach’s alpha values above 0.70. Data collection procedures
involved obtaining official permissions, administering questionnaires in controlled environments to minimize
bias, conducting teacher interviews privately to encourage openness, and observing ICT facilities on-site to
confirm their actual condition. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies,
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