Browsing by Author "Mbelwa, Doris"

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    The influence of the home environment on orphans’ school attendance and academic performance in Temeke municipality
    (2010) Mbelwa, Doris
    This study investigated the influence of home environment on orphans’ school attendance and academic performance in Temeke Municipality in Dar es Salaam Region. Specifically, the study aimed to identify the status of the orphans and parents’/guardians’ socio-economic status (SES), identify the orphans’ parents’/ guardians’ relationship and the household activities and, determine the influence of socio-economic status and household activities on the orphans’ school attendance and academic performance.The study employed both qualitative and quantitative approaches with a descriptive survey design to collect data from ten public secondary schools. The study involved 160 respondents including heads of schools, teachers, parents/guardians and orphaned students. Data were collected through interviews, questionnaires and documentary reviews. Qualitative data were analysed through content analysis while quantitative data were presented through tables of frequencies and percentages.The study revealed that there were more paternal orphans than other categories. It was found that low SES of the parents/guardians made the orphans to have inadequate facilities such as food intake, learning resources, bus fare and home requirements. It was also found that parents’ /guardians’ support of the orphaned children was a matter willingness and not income alone. Generally, it was found that unfavourable home environment and prolonged and frequent participation into household activities adversely affected orphans’ schooling. It is recommended that schools should establish counselling unit to deal with problems of orphans. Policy makers at the ministry level should formulate appropriate policies on the care and support of the orphaned students to intervene home obstacles hindering orphans’ schooling. The government and NGOs’ should increase funds to support orphans. The MOEVT should provide more opportunity for boarding schools to orphans. The study recommends a similar study involving larger sample to be conducted for generalisable conclusions. Another study can be conducted to investigate the differences in performance between orphans from poor families and those from rich families.