Browsing by Author "Shayo, Neema Leonard"

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    An enquiry into social capital and academic performance in secondary schools in Tanzania: a case study of selected schools in Dar es Salaam region
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2011) Shayo, Neema Leonard
    This study investigated the role of Social Capital in Academic Performance with a focus on best and poor performing secondary schools in Dar-es-salaam Region. It is argued that Social Capita plays a critical role in improving academic performance in schools. The study identified the sources of Social Capital existing in best performing schools in comparison to the schools which performed poorly; assessed the role of secondary school members in creating and sustaining Social Capital; examined the influence of Social Capital on academic performance; and lastly identified problems and challenges secondary schools encounter while creating and sustaining Social Capital. The study adopted both qualitative and quantitative research approaches; as well as explorative research design to obtain data used in this dissertation. A total of nine secondary schools and 117 respondents were selected from Dar es Salaam region across three municipals (Ilala, Kinondoni and Temeke).Overall the study findings reveal that there is a strong relationship between Social Capital and academic performance of students in secondary schools. Best performing secondary schools were found to have more sources of Social Capital compared to poor performing secondary schools which had fewer sources. Thus, through these sources best performing secondary schools were able to create and sustain their Social Capital and using its benefits to improve the academic performances of their students. The study concludes that secondary schools should strengthen their Social Capital through available sources such as Parent-Teacher Associations, Students Clubs, School Council and Teachers Union; as these facilitate trust among school members and effective monitoring of the teaching and learning process leading to better academic performance. Among many others, the study recommends for the government through MOEVT to give Social Capital a closer look and form corresponding policies for better academic performances in secondary schools. The study finally suggests that, future studies be conducted outside Dar-es-Salaam and/or at different educational levels for instance, higher learning institutions. This will further open the discussion on the contribution of Social Capital in Academic performance.