An investigation on truancy and its management strategies in Tanzania: a case of military owned secondary schools in Dar es Salaam region

The study aimed at investigating the truancy and its management strategies in Tanzania focusing on military owned secondary schools in Dar es Salaam region. The specific objectives of the study were: firstly, to assess the magnitude of truancy amongst students in military owned secondary schools; secondly, to examine factors that contribute to truancy amongst students in military owned secondary schools; thirdly, to find out effects of truancy among students in military owned secondary schools; and finally, to examine strategies used by military owned secondary schools in managing truancy. Mixed method approach was employed with the use of case study design. Purposively and random sampling techniques were used to select a sample size of 233 participants; including 2 municipal secondary education officers from each of the municipality (Kinondoni and Temeke), 2 heads of school from (Makongo and Jitegemee secondary schools), 16 teachers, 12 parents, and 201 students. The findings of the study revealed existence of truancy amongst students in their classes at the rate of 15%- 20% and 10%-20% of the total registered students for Jitegemee and Makongo secondary schools respectively. It was further revealed that the majority of students performed poorly and underachieving academically as an effect of truancy. The study also find that among the strategies pointed to manage truancy was keeping in touch with students' guardian or parents as well as regular counselling and guidance. The study recommended that there must be a good communication among community, parents, government and other stakeholders collectively in managing the problem of truancy and, the parents and guardians should be involved in formulating school attendance policies; and establishing facilities that will encourage students to attend the school.