Determinants of frequent students' crises in Educational Institutions of Higher Learning in Tanzania.

The primary aim of this study was to examine the determinants of frequent students' crises in educational institutions, particularly institutions of higher learning in Tanzania. The study was based on the conceptual framework that centred on external and internal forces. To accomplish this end, theories and literature on students' crises furnished the theoretical framework for the study. Studies unveiled that students' crises were historical and there was no study that dealt with the frequency aspect in Tanzania. Six research tasks and related questions guided the data collection. The research tasks based on frequency of students' crises, determinants of frequent students' crises, impact of democracy on students' crises, consequences of frequent students' crises, hindrances to prevention of frequent students' crises and suggested preventive mechanisms. The population sample in order to accomplish the purpose of the study comprised 414 respondents which encompassed the vice-chancellors/principals, lecturers, deans of students, students, Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education (MSTHE) officials and the general public drawn from Dar es Salaam and Morogoro. Data collection was through questionnaires, interviews, observation and documentary review. The collected data were quantitatively and qualitatively analysed. The study revealed that all institutions of higher learning in Tanzania had experienced students' crises, although the rate of frequency varied from one institution to another. It was further found out that students' crises had roots in economic, managerial, political, educational as well as social dimensions. It was also disclosed that the impacts of frequent crises were both constructive and destructive affecting students, parents and the government at large. On the other hand, it was unveiled that economic crisis, lack of managerial skills, and poor communication network dwarfed the efforts of heads of institutions in preventing the frequent occurrences of students' crises. Finally, preventive mechanisms were advanced as a solution to the problem. Recommendations were put forward in relation to the findings and conclusions of the study. They were of two categories namely for action and further research.