Income Generating Activities And Their Effect On Academic Performance: The Case Of Community Secondary School Students In Mbozi District

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to investigate students‟ engagement in Income Generating Activities and their impacts on academic performance in community secondary school students in Mbozi District in Mbeya Region. The study was mainly qualitative involving a cross-sectional survey, supported by some elements of quantitative data. It used purposive and stratified random sampling procedures to obtain 139 respondents. Data were gathered through interviews and questionnaires and were analyzed using descriptive statistics appropriate for responding to research questions The findings of the study identified factors influencing students to engage in IGAs were family-related factors; government related factors; lack of hostels and school feeding programme. Other factors are social related such as lack of awareness of parents and guardians on the adverse effect of students engaging in IGAs. A number of types of IGAs were identified as petty business, casual labourers, family and personal projects. The study also established effects for students‟ engagement in IGAs as poor academic performance, dropout, truancy or absenteeism, risk of pregnancy and tiredness. Recommendations for minimizing the prevalence of students‟ engagement in IGAs were educating parents, guardians and students, eliminating school fees and other mandatory costs, introduction of school feeding, building hostels and community to set bylaws. It was recommended that a similar study be carried nationwide in community secondary schools with a larger sample so as to make a generalization of the findings.