Impact of cost sharing on the internal efficiency of education in ward secondary schools in Tanzania: a case study of Shinyanga rural district

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Date
2013
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
This study investigated the impact of cost sharing on the internal efficiency of education in ward secondary schools in Shinyanga Rural District in Tanzania. The major objectives of the study were: (1) to find out the impact of cost sharing on the internal efficiency of education focusing on students’ repetition and dropout and (2) to find out the views of parents and other educational stakeholders on the impact of cost sharing on the internal efficiency of education. The study employed a case study design using a sample of 145 respondents. Purposive sampling was employed to obtain a total of 145 respondents required for the study. Data collection methods included questionnaire, interviews and documentary reviews. Data were analysed qualitatively using content analysis. Descriptive data were analysed using Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS version16) to show relationships between cost sharing and students’ class repetition and dropout. The study revealed that cost sharing negatively affected internal efficiency of education in ward secondary schools in Shinyanga Rural District in so far as students’ dropouts and class repetition are concerned. Also, cost sharing affected students from poor families who were studying in rural ward secondary schools, girls being the most seriously affected. Education stakeholders were of the view that cost sharing affected internal efficiency of education in ward secondary schools as it led to students’ dropout and class repetitions. It was also found out that inability of parents to pay for educational costs led to students’ repetition and dropout. It is concluded that cost sharing has more negative impacts on the internal efficiency of education, particularly with regard to students from poor families studying in rural ward secondary schools whose repetition and dropout rates are high following their parent’s inability to meet school costs. The study recommends that: (1) Schools have to charge only school fees and omit other school contributions (2) School contributions be paid on quarterly basis (3) Rural parents be educated through village meetings on the importance of cost sharing in provision of education in ward secondary schools. (4) It is also recommended that ward secondary schools need to establish income generating projects so as to help poor students to raise the money for school fees.
Description
Available in print form, University of Dar es Salaam at Dr. Wilbert Chagula Library(THS EAF LB2826.6.T34H35 )
Keywords
Secondary schools, Ward secondary schools, Finance, Shinyanga rural district, Tanzania
Citation
Hamis, E(2013) Impact of cost sharing on the internal efficiency of education in ward secondary schools in Tanzania: a case study of Shinyanga rural district, Master dissertation, University of Dr es Salaam, Dar es Salaam