Urassa, Ngayakwe Andrew2020-04-112020-04-112009Urassa, N.A(2009) The influence of social and psychological support in reducing the problem of access and academic performance of orphans in secondary schools in Tanzania, Master dissertation University of Dares Salaam. Dar es Salaam.http://41.86.178.5:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/9278Available in print form, East Africana Collection, Dr. Wilbert Chagula Library, Class mark (THS EAF LB2979.T34U7)The study was an investigation into the social and psychological support offered to orphans receiving secondary education among selected schools in Tanzania. The study aimed at analyzing factors leading to the problem of orphans’ access to secondary education. Exploring the performance of orphans by gender and identifying of social and psychological support and its relevance to the educational problem of orphans were other objectives. The study was case study of Ilala and Kinondoni Districts. The study employed the qualitative approach to a large extent although some aspects of the quantitative approach were used. Six public secondary schools were selected. Data collected through interviews, FGDs and documentary reviews were analyzed using content analysis for verbal data while SPSS package was used to analyze non-verbal data. The major findings of the study demonstrated gender disparities, both in the enrolment and performance of orphans, whereby male orphans outnumber female orphans. The leading factors affecting orphans’ access and performance were attributed to social-cultural, psychological and economic problems. The provision of social and psychological support to orphans, although relevant, is unsystematic, in that they pose more challenges than solutions. In conclusion, the problem of orphans still persists and the number is increasing. This study recommends that MoEVT in collaboration with school heads should allocate orphans to the nearby school and monitor their support effectively. Future researchers are challenged to survey similar subject in other regions from both urban and rural areas.enSocialProblemThesis