Browsing by Author "Athuman, Hamisi Shemahonge"

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Factors contributing to differences in academic performance in national form four examinations in Tanzania: a study of selected community and Non-Government secondary schools in Tanga Region
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2010) Athuman, Hamisi Shemahonge
    The study investigated factors that contribute to differences in academic performance in national form four examinations in Tanzania between community and non-government secondary schools. The study involved eight schools in Tanga region, from which four are Community Secondary Schools (CSSs) and four are Non-Government Secondary Schools (NGSSs). Three research tasks guided the study. That are; to analyze teachers’ qualifications and experiences in community and non-government secondary schools, to assess the availability of teaching and learning materials including essential physical infrastructure, and to analyze aspects of motivation and evaluation techniques in community and non-government secondary schools. Three sampling techniques were employed, namely simple random sampling, stratified sampling and purposive sampling techniques. There were 128 respondents of whom 80 were students, 40 teachers and 8 school heads. Data were collected using questionnaires, interviews, documentary review and observation checklist. Findings revealed that CSSs face shortage of highly qualified and experienced teachers; teaching and learning materials; physical infrastructures; and incentives for students and teachers compared to NGSSs. Also there are many teachers who teach subjects which are not within their specialization and in schools which are characterized with large class size. The study recommends that communities should be mobilized so as to devote their resources towards improving teaching and learning resources in their respective schools. It is also recommended that central government and local government should play their role effectively on providing qualified teachers and teaching materials to CSSs. In addition, the study recommends that CSSs should establish an internal monitoring system so as to ensure that classroom assignments, homeworks and monthly test are efficiently done.