Factors and affects for the failure to pay school fees in secondary schools in Tanzania: a case study of Namtumbo district, Ruvuma region

This study dealt with the importance of secondary school education in the country. The main objective of the study was to investigate factors and the effects of the failure to pay school fees in secondary schools in Tanzania with special case of Namtumbo District in Ruvuma Region. The study was meant to fulfill one of the institutional (IDS) goals, which s to provide opportunity to the candidates to acquire advanced knowledge and skills to analyze various problems of social development. In line with the objectives it was assumed that the government initiatives to reduce school fees and free provision of education to the poor and needy students. The study findings revealed that a major factor for the persistence of the problems were economic factors. Things goes in the line with Robert Chambers in this book, putting the last First, which contends that rural inhabitants and poor. This is evidence by the study findings which indicate the presence of object poverty being a major factor for persistence of the problem in rural areas. Despite impressive records on economic growth countrywide, in the rural areas the problem of the failure to pay school fees in secondary schools still persists. Based on these findings, the study recommended a number of measures to adopt but, broadly, it is emphasized that for any government efforts directed towards expansion of secondary education down to ward, village or any other level, deep analysis should be conducted with proportionate involvement of all stakeholders, including rural people.