Capacity Of Community Participation In Enhancing Students Academic Performance In Tanzania: A Case Of Ward Secondary Schools In Tanga City

ABSTRACT

The study explores the capacity of community participation in enhancing students’ academic performance in ward secondary schools in Tanga district. The study was guided by three objectives including the perceptions of the community on poor students’ academic performance, the contributions of the community in enhancing students’ academic performance and the best ways community can participate in enhancing students’ academic performance. The study used Epsteins’ theory of overlapping sphere of influence (TOSI) which emphasized partnerships between community and schools had impacts in students academic performance. The study collected data using interviews, questionnaires and documentary reviews guide to collect information suitable for the study from 46 respondents including 30 students, 5 academic masters/mistresses, 5 Heads of schools, 5 NGOs District Secretaries and 1 District Secondary Education Officer. The findings of the study indicated that poor performance in ward secondary schools is associated with lack of students’ readiness to learn, teachers motivation, enough community school partnership, longer distances from home to schools and inadequate educational infrastructures. The study concludes that for the goal of secondary education to be achieved the Government should propose immediate solutions to the alarming challenges of poor performance in ward secondary schools. The Government through MOEVT should ensure that education stakeholders participate in influencing students’ education regardless of the individual income.