Can Ict Increase Retention Rates In Primary School?

Though primary school enrolment in developing countries is growing, dropout rates remain quite high. This leads to significant wastage of economic resources that could otherwise be deployed to productive ends. While information and communication technologies (ICTs) have been viewed as a potent tool to transform education and make it efficient and sustainable, in this paper, we examine whether ICT can help reduce dropouts in primary education. Using structuration theory and capability approach, we propose a conceptual framework illustrating that process by which ICT can improve retention and quality of learning through teacher empowerment and capability improvement. Our study deviates from the prior literature by (1) focusing on the role of teachers in the education process, and (2) elaborating the process of empowerment and capability development by which ICT may influence education outcomes. Theoretical and practical contributions expected from our study are discussed.