Perceptions of teachers and students towards private tuition in secondary schools in Tanzania: the case of Mwanza city
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Date
2007
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Unversity of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
The main purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of parents, teachers and students towards private tuition in secondary schools in Tanzania, focusing on Mwanza city. It was guided by four research tasks, namely, to detemiine the perceptions of parents and students on the persistence ofprivate tuition and its effects on formal education, to explore the reasons for parents to pay for private tuition: to investigate the factors influencing teachers to conduct private tuition and find out the attitudes of parents, students and teachers towards private tuition practices in secondary schools. The study employed mainly qualitative approach. In particular, it employed a case study design. A total of 1 10 participants were involved in the study. Among them, 20 were parents, 30 teachers, and 60 students who were selected purposively. Data were sought through interviews, focus group discussion, and documentary review. The findings of the study indicated that private tuition persisted in secondary schools because of the problems facing the fomial systems. It further revealed that many parents paid for private tuition because: they wanted their children to pass examinations; and, schools experienced acute shortage ofteachers and lacked quality professional teaching and assistance from the fomtal class teachers. The study also discovered that teachers conducted private tuition so as to supplement their income. The findings unfolded that although majority of parents pay for private tuition they have negative attitudes towards the phenomenon, on the other hand, many teachers have positive attitudes towards private tuition. In the light of the findings, the study recommends that the Government should improve teachers' salaries and living conditions to reduce the urge for private tuition classes. Schools should organize effective remedia] classes. In addition, The Nationa] Examination Council should test skills and knowledge, which cannot be achieved by cramming.
Description
Available in print form, East Africana Collection, Dr. Wilbert Chagula Library, Class mark (THS EAF LC47.T34M37)
Keywords
Education (Secondary), Finance, School costs, Private schools, Business management, Tanzania city, Mwanza
Citation
Matiba, F. M. (2007) Perceptions of teachers and students towards private tuition in secondary schools in Tanzania: the case of Mwanza city, Master dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam