The Role of School Committees in Promoting Completion Rates of Primary Education in Temeke District

This study investigated the role of school committees in promoting completion rates of primary education in Temeke district, Tanzania. Three research objectives guided this study, namely: to investigate the influence of school committees members’ academic qualifications and experience in effecting their fundamental functional roles in primary schools; to explore the perceptions of parents, teachers and administrators on the role of school committees in promoting completion rates of primary education; and to examine the structural and administrative challenges facing the school committees in promoting completion of primary education. The study employed qualitative approach and procedures in sampling, data collection and analyses. It was conducted in five primary schools whereby 4 head- teachers, 16 teachers, 40 School committee members and 2 District Education Officer were the main informants. The findings revealed that the school committee members had low education level and low experiences in executing their roles in schools. The findings revealed that this has been negatively affecting the schools functioning especially on teachers’ working environment, pupils learning, in decision making, planning, and training. Moreover, the findings revealed that the major structural challenges facing school committees were low level of education and experiences; while the administrative challenges were poverty and little awareness of parents on the importance of sending children to school. It was revealed that the determinant factors for completion rates of primary education ranged mainly from social, cultural and economic factors, such as early marriage, early pregnancies and poverty.

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

masters

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

The Open University Of Tanzania

Year dc:date.issued

2015

Author dc:creator

• Malifimbo, Michael Samwel

• 370 Education

Language dc:language

en