Abstract

The aim of this study was to conduct a comparative assessment of computer literacy of private and public secondary school students. Although the definition of computer literacy varies widely, this study treated computer literacy in terms of access to, and use of, computers and the internet, basic knowledge and skills required to use computers and the internet, and the patterns of use of computers and the internet. Four hundred students drawn from twenty secondary schools (private school = 10; public school = 10) located in two of the local government areas in Lagos State, Nigeria participated. Data sources included a generally closed-ended computer literacy questionnaire. Data were analyzed using frequency counts, percentages, t-test, z-test, and chi-square test (c²) with a level of significance α = 0.05. The study found that private secondary school students have access to, and use, the computer in higher measures than public secondary school students. However, no statistically significant differences were found in terms of access to the internet. Private school students were also found to be more engaged in computer literacy. It was recommended that a supportive policy environment should be instituted and that government should intervene to reduce the cost of acquiring computers.

Key words: Computer literacy, private secondary school, public secondary school, computers, internet, students, Lagos State.