The Present Status of Computers in Secondary Schools in Saudi Arabia / Abdulaziz M. Al-Ageely

Only few years ago the Ministry of Education started to provide intermediate and secondary schools with computer hardware and software. In addition to this, it started a new program by establishing two courses for secondary schools, The Ministry of Education connected all the school districts in all the regions with its main frame in the Ministry of Education in Riyadh, so all mail and official paperwork came through the computer network.
This research paper is an attempt to investigate the present status of computers in secondary schools in Saudi Arabia This paper intends to investigate the role of the computer as a course work. tool, subject matter medium, computer assisted instruction, and computer managed instruction All new intermediate schools are now provided with computers either for management purposes or as a terminals for teachers and students The study participants were the directors and teachers of secondary schools who were engaged in the educational diploma program in the Diploma Unit in the Collage of Education, King Saud University, Riyadh.
The general findings are as follows:
1 - The average number of computers in each school is seventeen sets.
2- Most of the schools which are represented by the participants are rented and this means these school buildings are not suitable for computer use
3- Most of these schools are equipped with one computer lab. but this is not enough for each school.
4- some of the computer sets are obsolete and need to be replaced with new ones.
5- Many computer sets in schools lack programs and discs.
6- Most teachers believe that the presence of computers in their schools help in teaching and administration of all schools affairs .
7- The students in general are very interested in computers in their schools, and the computers sets are compatible with the courses offered to the students .
8- Most teachers need to attend training programs.
9- Many teachers believe that the use of computers in schools has gone a long way towards minimizing computer illiteracy and phobia.