The role of school boards in managing public secondary schools in Tanzania: A Study of Kinondoni District

This study examined the role of school boards in managing public secondary schools in Kinondoni District. Specifically, the study examined how the role that school boards play helped to manage public secondary schools in the district. It explored the challenges facing school boards in managing public secondary schools in the district. The data was obtained in five secondary schools (Mabwe, Boko, Kondo, Mbweni Teta and Bunju 'A') in Kinondoni District. A total of 39 respondents were involved in this study. The respondents were 2 regional education officers, 2 district education officers, 5 heads of schools, 3 ward education coordinators and 27 members from school boards. The study is both qualitative and quantitative. The data was analyzed using contingency theory. The data was also analyzed using SPSS and presented as frequencies and percentages. Some 75% of the respondents mentioned that school boards dealt with disciplinary issues relating to students and staff. Some 88% of the respondents Ea noted that school boards lacked the skills and knowledge necessary to managing schools. Furthermore, 91% of the respondents said that one of the measures taken to alleviate the challenges facing school boards in managing public secondary schools in Kinondoni was training. Training is necessary because the duties of school boards are complex.