Browsing by Author "Timothy, Bertha"

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    The effects of distance to school on attendance and performance of students in community secondary schools in igunga district in Tanzania
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2010) Timothy, Bertha
    This study aimed examined the effects of distance to school on attendance and performance of students in community secondary schools in Igunga District. There were two objectives; one was to examine the relationship between distance to school and attendance, and the second was to examine the relationship between distance to school and performance. Data were collected from 400 students, in Form One and Form Three in four schools using questionnaire and school records. Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) Version 15.0 was used. The findings showed that distance to school affected both attendance and performance of students and that long distances to school was associated with higher rates of absenteeism. Among 94 (23.5%) students who traveled five or more kilometers to school, 43 (10.75%) students had 41 or more days of absenteeism, and their average performance was 32.69 percent. Those traveling two kilometers or less, were 136 (34%) and had less than 20 days of absenteeism per academic year. There were no A scores. Only 12 (3%) students scored B while (55%) scored D. Among them 58, (14.5%) students were traveling five or more kilometers and 11 (2.75%) were failures in the same distance category. There was significant correlation between distance to school and academic performance. In general as the distance increased, the performance decreased. When 10 possible causes of poor school attendance and 10 possible causes of poor academic performance were listed and ranked by the students; poverty, lack of school tools and teaching and learning materials were ranked high. To improve attendance and academic performance in community secondary schools, the government should use school mapping knowledge in building schools, improve and promote a better teaching and learning environment, build of hostels and dormitories near schools and motivate communities to provide school meals. The government should strive to subsidize these services.