Effects of broken marriages on Academic Development of children in Tanzania: the case of Kinondoni, Ilala and Temeke districts in Dar es Salaam

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Date
2014
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
The study investigated the academic performance of primary school pupils coming from broken homes in Tanzania, using the three districts of Dar es Salaam region as a case study. The schools involved were Sinza, located in Kinondoni district; Muhimbili and Mkoani in Ilala; and Kizuaini and Kibondemaji primary schools, both located in Temeke district. The research combined qualitative and quantitative research approaches. A total of 132 respondents took part in the study. Data were collected through the use of questionnaires, interviews and focus group discussions. Data were analysed by the use of content analysis and SPSS. The study found that pupils from broken homes generally felt lonely and unhappy and were segregated from the normal to teachers, cases of absenteeism at school, lack of emotional and moral support from parents, lack of concentration in class and difficulties in coping with normal life at school were some of the common features for such children. The children used different coping strategies to deal with their parents’ separation such as exerting much effort into their studies, and having remedial classes after school hours. The study concludes that there are differences in performance with pupils with both parents outperforming the others in the group, who have parents not living together. Therefore, broken homes affect the pupil’s academic performance in a negative way.The study recommended that parents should collaborate with teachers on the welfare of their children regardless of their problems in relationships.
Description
Available in print form, East Africana Collection, Dr. Wilbert Chagula Library, Class mark (THS EAF LC208.T34D67)
Keywords
School children, Academic achievement, Social conditons, Kinondoni district, Ilala district, Temeke district, Dar es Salaam region, Tanzania
Citation
Dotto, J. M. (2014) Effects of broken marriages on Academic Development of children in Tanzania: the case of Kinondoni, Ilala and Temeke districts in Dar es Salaam, Master dissertation,University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam