Assessment Of Mwedo And Tembo Intervention Projects For Reducing Girls’ Dropout From Secondary Schools In Pastoralist Communities: A Case Of Arusha Region, Tanzania

ABSTRACT

This study assessed MWEDO and TEMBO intervention projects for reducing girls‟ dropout from secondary schools in pastoralist communities in Arusha and Longido District Councils in Arusha Region, Tanzania. It employed a cross-sectional research design and applied mainly qualitative research approach and some elements of quantitative research approach. Purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used in selecting 56 respondents involved in this study. Questionnaires and interviews were used for teachers to obtain the data. Documentary review also was used to obtain the data on students‟ enrolment after the intervention projects. Qualitative data were analyzed according to their pattern of descriptions from the respondents, and quantitative data were processed and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 20.0. The findings were presented using tables, percentages, figures and simple bar graphs. The study found that marriage and pregnancies were the great obstacles to pastoralist female students to complete their studies in secondary schools. The study recommends that serious measures should be taken by the government against people who violate the rights of pastoralist female students and emphasis on eradication of outdated traditions and customs. The government also, through poverty reduction strategies should regard pastoralist communities as groups that need special attention regarding poverty alleviation and education provision. Lastly, the study also recommends that the government should take legal actions against males who sexually exploit female students and against fathers who practice early marriage to girls under the age of 18 years. This will help a girl child to have an access to secondary education.