Kaziyareli, Alois Damian2019-06-262020-01-082019-06-262020-01-082011Kaziyareli, A. D (2011) The effects of single parent families on academic performance among Tanzanian secondary school students: the case of Chunya District. Master dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam. Available at http://41.86.178.3/internetserver3.1.2/detail.aspxhttp://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/3863Available in print formSingle-parent-families may be caused by separation, divorce, death, or never-married parents. This study investigated the effects of single-parent-families on academic performance of secondary school students in Tanzania. In this study, the causal-comparative research design was used coupled with qualitative and quantitative research approaches. The design is good in dealing with cause and effect relationships of variables involved in such studies. This study gathered qualitative and quantitative data for students’ academic performance scores, and attitudes to love schooling using questionnaires, interview schedules, and documentary review. This approach allowed greater interaction between the researcher and informants. The findings revealed that the mean mark of students from single parenthood was 36.0% and higher than that of students from two parent families (31.9%) by 4.1%. Also, students from mother-headed families had a mean mark of 34.6% while those from two parent families had 31.9%. They differed by 2.7%. Furthermore, the mean mark of students from father-headed households was 39.7%. It was higher than that of students from two parent families who scored 31.9% by an average score of 7.8%. It is thus generalized that, students from single parent families had mean academic performances that were higher (better) than that of students from two parent families. The government, school administrations, counselors and teachers, as well as parents and school communities, should altogether provide for necessities that students from single parent families need alongside love, care and emotional support for better performance.enStudentsSecondary schoolsAcademic achievementChunya DistrictTanzaniaThesis