The contribution of community involvement in enhancing academic performance in community secondary schools in Tanzania
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2014
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
This study investigated the contribution of community involvement in enhancing academic performance in community secondary schools in Tanzania, using Mtwara Municipality and Rural District as a case study. The objectives of this study were: to explore the role of community members in academic affairs in community secondary schools in Mtwara, to find out factors hindering effective community involvement in academic affairs in community secondary schools in Mtwara, and to suggest the possible measures to foster community involvement in improving students’ academic performance in community secondary schools in Mtwara. The study employed descriptive design and a mixed approach. The mixed approach combines both quantitative and qualitative methods. The study was conducted in six (6) selected secondary schools from which a sample of eighty (80) respondents was drawn. The participants were randomly and purposively selected. The data collection tools were interviews, questionnaires, survey checklist and ocumentary review. The research findings revealed that the relationship between the community and the community based schools was very weak. In consequence, community involvement in the school activities was inevitably very low. Although communities were fully aware of their roles in constructing school buildings, paying school fees and buying school uniforms, they had little knowledge about participation in school academic affairs. The low participation was evident in all aspects of school academic performance. This reluctance to participate in such matters was attributed to low level of education, unawareness, ignorance, poverty, poor leadership, poor infrastructure and long distances to and from schools. It can be concluded that, poor community involvement in education leads to poor students’ academic performance. It is recommended that, the government and other stakeholders should design intervening strategies that can improve community involvement in school activities especially in academic affairs. Furthermore, more studies with a wider coverage are necessary to make meaningful generalisations
Description
Available in print form, East Africana Collection, Dr. Wilbert Chagula Library, Class mark (THS EAF LB3060.26T34M36)
Keywords
Community schools, Community secondary schools, Academic achievement, Parent participation, Mtwara region, Tanzania
Citation
Manda, F. G (2014) The contribution of community involvement in enhancing academic performance in community secondary schools in Tanzania, Master dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam. Dar es Salaam.