HARNESSING DIGITAL APPLICATIONS POTENTIAL FOR TRANSFORMING SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION: EVIDENCE FROM PUBLIC SECTOR SCHOOLS IN LAHORE, PUNJAB

Abstract

Administering government schools is a challenging task, and public school administration has widely adopted ICT. This study investigates the benefits of ICT applications in transforming school administration. The purposive sampling technique was used to identify key respondents. The semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data from public school heads in Lahore. This qualitative method helps to record personal experiences, perceived benefits, and associated challenges of ICT integration in public school administration. The findings of the study highlighted the advantages of using digital applications over traditional methods of record keeping, data sharing, enhancing transparency, and decision-making. However, effective use of ICT applications requires a reliable internet connection, infrastructure, availability of digital devices, and a strategic holistic policy framework. The use of digital applications depends on the availability of technical resources as well as supportive institutional policies. These findings are helpful for policymakers and administrators seeking improvement in school administration through digital-enabled applications.