Strategies used to groom pupils into leadership positions in public primary schools in Temeke municipality, Tanzania.

This study explored strategies used to groom pupils into leadership positions in public primary schools in Temeke Municipality, Dar Es Salaam region, Tanzania. It had three objectives: (1) Explore the existing aspects of curriculum as a strategy that help to groom pupils into leadership positions; (2) Identify the existing extracurricular activities as strategies that assist in grooming pupils for leadership role; and (3) Determine other strategies used to groom pupils into leadership. The study employed a qualitative research approach using multiple case study design. Data for this study were collected using interview, focus group discussions (FGDs), observation and documentary review. The study’s sample involved 40 respondents comprised of 4 head teachers, 4 academic teachers, 4 civics teachers, 4 other teachers and 24 pupils’ leaders who were selected using purposive and stratified random sampling techniques. Data obtained from interviews, FGDs, through documentary reviews and observations were analyzed using Miles and Huberman (1994) qualitative framework for data analysis. The findings revealed 10 aspects from Civics and Kiswahili primary schools’ curriculum which are geared at ensuring that pupils are graduating with skills in leadership, these aspects are: citizenship and ethics, capacity building, creativity, problem solving, confidence building, humanity, patriotism, accountability, responsibility and tolerance. There are topics from Civics and Kiswahili subjects which assist grooming pupils to become leaders that include local government, democracy, central government and the constitution of Tanzania and from Kiswahili subject the topic is on the members of parliament’ meetings. The findings further revealed seven extracurricular activities that assist in grooming pupils to become leaders: (1) civics and Kiswahili subjects tuseme clubs; (2) leadership study tours; (3) debates; (4) supervision of pupils by prefects/pupils leaders; (5) sports and games; (6) school assembly (baraza); and (7) morning speeches. On the other hand the findings revealed the following other strategies that are used to groom pupils for leadership: encouragement to love leadership, motivation to all pupil leaders who perform better in leadership, invitation of local leaders to discuss with students on leadership matters, appointing pupils in leadership positions and involvement of pupil leaders in school committee meetings. On the basis of these findings several recommendations were drawn including that the ministries responsible with education matters should establish frequent leadership seminars, platforms as well as to include money for leadership study tours in their budgets for primary education.