Browsing by Author "Malyatangasi, Zedekian"

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    Determinants of the persistent shortage of educational resources in secondary schools in Tanzania: the case of ward secondary schools in Njombe district
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2009) Malyatangasi, Zedekian
    The primary aim of this study was to explore the determinants of the persistent shortage of educational resources in Ward Secondary Schools (WSSs) in Njombe District. To that effect, four research objectives guided the study: (i) to explore the status of educational resources in WSSs. (ii) to identify the determinants of the persistent shortage of educational resources in WSSs. (iii) to find out the extent to which the persistent shortage of educational resources affects teaching and learning processes. (iv) to explore the strategies adopted by the WSSs to cope with the shortage of educational resources. Several different approaches explaining the persistent shortage of educational resources in schools furnished the study. The literature revealed the extent of the problem in a global and African context. Also it showed the status of educational resources in Tanzania. The roots of the shortages of school resources in global context were reviewed. Further, the literature disclosed the significance of educational resources as well as the consequences of shortage of school resources on teaching and learning. Actually, the reviewed literature revealed that, there was no study that had dealt directly with the determinants of the persistent shortages of educational resources in WSSs. To accomplish the research objectives, this study employed a case study design. The study employed mainly the qualitative approach, but it was supplemented by the quantitative approach. Stratified, purposive, simple random sampling techniques were used to select 4 WSSs and 115 respondents to provide data for the study. Data were generated through face to face interviews, focused group discussion, observation checklists and document search. Qualitative data was subjected to content analysis while quantitative data was analyzed manually. The findings of the study revealed that: First, all schools had shortages of educational resources though the extent different from one school to another. Secondly, the persistent shortage of educational resources in WSSs had roots in economic, political, managerial, social and geographical explanations. Thirdly, the shortage of educational resources affected classroom attendance, lesson presentation and classroom management as well as student performance in national examinations to name a few. Fourthly, in order to mitigate the problem education stakeholders adopted different coping strategies. The strategies included employing temporary teachers, holding meetings with parents, purchasing and borrowing books among others. The study recommends that: First, there is a need to take into account the economic, managerial, political, social and geographical aspects in planning and implementation of education expansion plans to ensure availability of adequate resources in WSSs. Secondly, there is a need to integrate quantitative and qualitative aspects in the planning and implementation of education plans so as to have an appropriate number of schools and educational resources for optimal teaching and learning.