The effectiveness of the decision making process in a military biased Teachers College: a case study of Morogoro Teachers' College

The purpose of the study was to examine the effectiveness of the decision making process in military biased teachers colleges, with Morogoro College as a case study. An eclectic integrated conceptual framework was used for guiding the data gathering process. Four research tasks were set to guide the data gathering exercise and the discussion that followed. Literature survey covered a wide range of the theories of decision-making, as well as empirical studies conducted in the field of education and outside it. One hundred students and forty academic staff personnel were involved in the questionnaire sample. Three top officials at the college were interviewed. The main data-collecting techniques included questionnaires, interviews, documentary review and observation. The study findings showed that, there were discrepancies in identifying the relevant decision making organs on particular problems, among tutors, instructors and students. It was also found that the major organs for decision making at the college were the Principal, the Staff Meeting, the Disciplinary Committees and the Academic Committee.The study revealed further that students were learning positive and negative practices. Finally, it was established that to a large extent, the decision making process was conducted democratically. In order to enhance the effectiveness of the process, the study recommended that the notion of merging teacher training with military training be explained to education administrators and the public. A guideline on how to run colleges which offer this type of teacher training be established. Military personnel who were appointed to teach in such colleges could be trained as professional teachers, then be seconded to the Ministry of Education and Culture. Finally, other areas on the relationship between military training and students' academic performance and their utility be researched on further.