Availability of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Tools Used for Managing Students Academic Records in Tanzania: The Case of Secondary Schools in Arusha City Council

This study aim was to find out the availability of ICT tools used for managing students? academic records with an experience of secondary schools in Arusha City Council. The study was conducted in 10 secondary schools whereby 120 respondents were involved. The research approaches used were quantitative and qualitative, with dominance of quantitative approach. Survey design was adopted and data were collected through interviews, questionnaires, observation and documentary review. Stratified and purposive techniques were used to get the sample. Analysis of quantitative data was assisted by SPSS (Version 22.0) utilizing descriptive statistics for frequencies, mean, and standard deviation, and presented in form of tables. Qualitative data were thematically analyzed and presented in form of tables and paraphrasing. The study found that a diverse of ICT tools and facilities are available and accessible by teachers in the surveyed secondary schools. These tools are mainly used for academic and non-academic activities. Keeping students' records using ICT helps to improve managerial capacity of schools and students' academic performance by providing easy access to students? examination records, tracking progress, serves time in processing reports and assist in making informed decisions. The study recommendations include a need to supply ICT tools and facilities in secondary schools and empowering teachers on using them to manage students? records. There should be clear standard of records keeping practices which can accelerate decision making and improving information sharing through the use of ICT in secondary schools.