Massomo, Amina Rashid2019-10-252020-01-072019-10-252020-01-072014Massomo, A.R(2014)Factors impeding girls’ participation in primary education in rural communities in Tanzania: a study of Tarime District,Master dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam. Dar es Salaam.http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/2613Available in print form, East Africana Collection, Dr. Wilbert Chagula Library, Class mark (THS EAF LC2471.T34M37 )The study sought to assess factors that impede girls’ participation in primary education in rural communities in Tarime District, Mara region. Specifically, the study examined how girls’ access primary education in rural areas compared to boys.The study employed a mixed-method approach within a case study design. Purposive and stratified sampling strategies were used to obtain 118 respondents for the study. Data were collected through documentary review, interview, focus group discussion and questionnaire. Qualitative data were subjected to content analysis while quantitative data were presented through frequencies and percentages.The results show that a small number of girl compared to boys complete standard seven on account of factors like parental preference, domestic chores, distance from home to school, socio-economic factors, parent education level as well as social cultural constrains which were the main factors hindering girls education. The results have also shown both positive and negative attitudes from parents affect education of their daughters in primary schools. Also, the result reveals the obstacles encountered by parents in providing education to their daughters. These include poverty, the community culture of desire for early marriage, domestic chores, social cultural constraints and distance from home to school.The study concludes that parents are generally aware of sending children to primary school without discrimination. This is an indicator that parents in rural areas are beginning to understand advantages of girls’ education for their future life. On the basis of these findings the study recommends that education stakeholders has to design and implement a programme aimed at raising awareness among parents and guardians on the importance of girls’ participation in formal education.enWomenEducationEducation primaryRural communitiesTarime districtTanzaniaThesis