Assessing the Performance of School Boards in a Decentralized School System in Tanzania”: The case of Bukoba Municipal Community Secondary Schools in Kagera Region
This is a report of the study that critically explored the implementation effectiveness of School Boards in community based secondary schools in Tanzania. The main objective of the study was to assess the performance of School Boards in a decentralized school system in Tanzania. The study employed mainly the qualitative research approach though quantitative data were also collected through documentary review and informal field observations. The instruments of data collection were mainly Interview, Documentary review and Field observation. Population samples included heads of schools; school boards chair persons; ordinary members of school boards, ward leaders including councillors and ordinary school teachers. In brief the study revealed that School Boards have relatively been doing well in some aspects like students’ discipline, students’ enrollment and construction of classrooms. However, the findings also revealed that School Boards were not efficiently, confidently and comfortably performing their school management and administration roles. Challenges which still characterize the contemporary school management and administration sphere include; lack of transparence practices, poor parents’ commitments and obligation in school development activities like in construction of school buildings, paying for the schooling of their students, management of school finances and in the facilitation of proper implementation of the curriculum. The researcher recommends that School Board members be trained to acquire skills and knowledge of management about their roles and responsibilities as governors of schools. The study report is concluded by recommendations for future School Boards’ handling and empowerment that would enable them to manage better their duties as governors of schools.
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