Community participation in quality education improvement in ward secondary schools in Temeke Municipality

This study examined the role of community participation in improving quality education in ward secondary schools in Tanzania, using the case of Temeke Municipality. The study employed a qualitative research methodology and multiple case study design. The sample composed of four wards where four schools were chosen and a total of forty (40) respondents were selected through purposive and random sampling. Data were collected through interviews, observation and documentary review, and were analyzed by using content analysis. The findings from the study revealed that, there was no voluntary participation of local community unless a threat or sanction is used except during the initial phases of school construction. The findings further revealed that, low involvement of the community members was due to poverty, lack of awareness on community’s roles, selecting students from different distant wards, low education awareness of the community members on education issues, and misuse of funds collected from the community for school development. From the findings, the study recommends strongly for more involvement of the community in decision making and in school development planning and implementation so as to ensure ownership, accountability and responsiveness from the planning to the monitoring and evaluation stage. It also recommends for students to be admitted in schools which are within their respective wards. Finally, the study recommends for a broader study to be conducted in other parts of Tanzania and a comparative study to girls and boys in ward secondary schools located in rural and urban settings