School strategies employed to reduce secondary school students‟ dropouts in Kilombero district Morogoro region, Tanzania

This study was conducted in Kilombero district Morogoro region, Tanzania, aiming at investigating on the school strategies employed to reduce secondary school students’ dropouts. The study had three (3) objectives: (1) to findout the school strategies employed to reduce students’ dropouts: (2) to determine the effectiveness of school strategies employed to reduce students’ dropout;(3) to investigate on the contributions of the key education stakeholders in reducing students’ dropouts. The study was qualitative in its approach and it employed case study design. Data were obtained from 156 respondents, where, 7 dropout students, 16 teachers, 16 parents, 8 school board committee chairpersons, 2 district government and administrative officers, 5 division executive officers, 10 ward executive officers, 3 district education officers, 10 ward education coordinators, 8 school management teams representatives, 8 Non-governmental organizations representatives and 15 religious institutions representatives. In addition to that, the study made focus group discussion to 48 continuing students. It also employed purposive, stratified and simple random sampling techniques. The data were obtained through interview, observation, documentary review and focus group discussion. Apart from that, it analysed the data qualitatively and subjected to content data analysis. In conclusion, this study found that (1) the school strategies employed to reduce secondary school students’ dropout were; Convincing the key education stakeholders to support in the constructions of school infrastructures and other facilities; encouraging parental-teacher engagement in monitoring and evaluating children education progress; educating children on the importance of education; encouraging closely cooperation and communication among schools and other key education stakeholders; developing sports and games; provision of guidance and counselling; provision of meals, allowing parents to pay school fees by instalments; Provision of moral, material and financial supports; implementing school rules and regulations. (2)Moreover the school strategies mentioned above were very effective in reducing students’ dropout since it reduces to dropout rate by 2.2% in 2011-2012. Before that, especially from 2008 to 2011, there was an increase in the number of students’ dropout (3) The key education stakeholders contributed (8) massively contributions by; (1) educating the children on the importance of education; (2) contributing to school food programmes; (3) providing basic needs;(4) working together and encouraging closely cooperation among schools and other stakeholders ; (5)supporting in the construction of school infrastructure and providing other facilities; (6) providing moral, material and financial support; (7) providing guidance and counselling (8) establishing scholarship administrative committee (SAC); Above all, this study recommends that, the government should make sure that every district employs counsellors for counselling students. Also, the government should impose strict laws on family planning so as to have manageable number of children who can be sent to school. Moreover, the government should convince education stakeholders in supporting schools and needy students.