Influence of educational expenditures on students' academic performance in Tanzania: a comparative study of ward and private secondary in Kondoa district

This study explored influence of educational expenditures on students' academic performance by comparing ward and private secondary schools in Kondoa District, Tanzania. The study objectives were: to compare educational expenditures between ward and private secondary schools; to compare students' academic performance in relation to educational expenditure between ward and private secondary schools; to determine a relationship between educational expenditures and students' academic performance and to identify educational spending items that have direct influence on students' academic performance. The study was guided by input process outputs conceptual frame work. The study adopted mixed research approach by using comparative and correlational research design. Purposive and stratified sampling techniques were used to collect relevant data from 92 respondents through questionnaire, interviews and documentary review which were analyzed by using regression and content analysis. It was found that schools with high educational expenditure performed better than those with low educational expenditure. Further, findings indicate that private schools performed better due to conducive environment for learning created in these schools such as sufficient supply of teaching and learning materials, teachers' motivation and availability of food and hostels due to availability of funds. On the other hand, poor performance observed in ward secondary schools were due to insufficient supply of teaching and learning materials, teachers' motivation, food and hostels caused by shortage of funds. It also found that there is a positive relationship between educational expenditure and students' academic performance. The study concludes that educational expenditure has direct influence on students' academic performance if the right amount of funds is directed to teaching and learning materials, teachers' motivation, food and hostels. On improving academic performance in government schools, the study recommends that, the government should disburse required amount of funds and at the right time to ensure adequate supply of teaching and learning materials. The government in collaboration with head of schools should come across with the right ways of motivating teachers in ward schools who perform better academically so that they can continue to perform better and attract others to do the same. Also the government should increase school incomes to improve school expenditure and government should encourage significant contribution to school revenues including fund raising and internal income generating activities. Moreover, the government should ensure availability of food and hostels in ward secondary schools, while parents and stakeholders should be sensitized on making contributions to ensure provision of food in schools, which will keep students healthy so as to concentrate with studies. Studies that will constitute a large population are recommended, so that results from such studies could provide further solutions on solving matters concerning educational expenditure and students' academic performance in schools.