The effectiveness of community secondary schools in Tanzania; a case of Mvomero district

The primary objective of this study was to examine the effectiveness of community secondary schools in Tanzania, a case of Mvomero district. The study focused on the con-elation between the co-ownership and the quality of these schools, which have been increasing fast. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches were used in this study, leading to using of questionnaires, observations, interviews, checklist, and documentation techniques, in data collection process. The population sample was represented by a sample of 172 people from different groups. The findings revealed that the schools were ineffective in the provision of education. Over 80 percent of students had Division IV and 0 in the 2000 and 2001 National Form IV Examinations, while all 80 students tested, got below average, in the English proficiency test administered? Few students joined higher education and training institutions. The poor performance was due to shortage of teachers, lack of books, and poor performance in primary education, absenteeism, insufficient and low quality facilities, language barrier and absence of hostels. These problems could have been solved if both the government and communities had fully fulfilled their roles. It was further revealed that the community had a number of weaknesses, such as dependence syndrome, poor leadership, low aspiration, low financial capability and low commitment, for secondary education. If the situation does not change, the achievement of secondary education objectives stated in the 1995 ETP, will remain a daytime dream. The study recommends for deliberate initiatives for the poor communities, clear government plans, community participation in school operation, hostel establishment, establishment of a mechanism to facilitate owners' collaboration and radical improvement of the basic education. The government should look for ways through which the problems can be solved in co-operation with the local communities to improve the quality of CSS in the country. Efforts to improve secondary education need to be linked to poverty alleviation strategies.