1Ph.D. Scholar, Department of Extension Education and Communication Management, College of Community and Applied Sciences, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur-313001, Rajasthan
2Associate Director, Department of Extension Education and Communication Management, I.C. College of Community Science, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125004, Haryana
3Dean, I.C. College of Community Science, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125004, Haryana
This study explores the constraints faced by rural students in Haryana in utilizing ICT gadgets, with a focus on categorizing and ranking these challenges. The study was conducted in the Hisar district, the research targeted two government senior secondary schools, one each from the villages of Niyana and Bhiwani Rohilla. A total of 100 students from grades 9 to 12 participated in the study. It examined the constraints across four categories: personal/physical, infrastructural, economical and social, utilizing a Composite Index method. The findings revealed that eye strain and lack of ICT skills are the most significant physical constraints, attributed to prolonged screen time and inadequate ICT infrastructure. Infrastructurally, limited computer availability and poor ICT infrastructure were identified as major challenges, stemming from insufficient investment in technology by school administrations. Economically, high costs associated with ICT services, such as expensive recharge plans, were prominent barriers. Social constraints, including parental concerns about increased screen time during the COVID-19 pandemic, further restricted the use of ICT gadgets by students. These insights emphasize the need for targeted interventions to enhance ICT accessibility and effectiveness in rural educational settings.
Constraints, ICT, Haryana, Rural students, Utilizing, Composite index
