Financial Obligations in the Implementation of Free Fee Primary and Secondary Schools Education in Arusha District Council – Tanzania

Soraya Sabaya

doi:10.7176/jep/11-9-24

Abstract

The government of the United Republic of Tanzania in early 2014 introduced offering primary and secondary schools education without school fees. The main objective of this study was to find out if the government grants to enhance free fee education in public primary and secondary schools in Arusha District Council were used efficiently. The first specific objective was to find out if the head teachers/headmasters draw up budgets for their schools according to priorities of the school needs, the second specific objective was to ensure competency on financial management in public schools; and the third specific objective was to find out if monitoring and controlling of the institutions budget was carried out by head of public schools in collaboration with stakeholders. The findings have shown that the government grants for free fee education were appreciated. It was discovered a shortage of teachers with financial accounting qualifications at the targeted schools which raises a concern to look out how to fill the gap by employing the qualified ones. Short term seminars or workshops were doubted if they could make someone competent in handling school finances. Stakeholders were involved in schools budget preparation and support. Key words: Government grants, free fee education, budgets, monitoring and controlling of the institutions budget. DOI: 10.7176/JEP/11-9-24 Publication date: March 31 st 2020

Highlights

1.1 Background of the ProblemThe president of the United Republic of Tanzania Dr John Pombe Joseph Magufuli in his speech addressing the nation about educational difficulties for the majority of Tanzanians, introduced free fee primary and secondary schools education
1.3 Objectives of the Study (i) To find out if head of schools draw up budgets for their schools according to priorities of the school needs with the involvement of the community around such as parents or guardians for the goal of offering free fee education. (ii) To find out if head of public primary and secondary schools are competent in identifying and mobilizing financial resources such as grants from the government and other income for their institutions to enhance free fee education. (iii) To find out if monitoring and controlling of the school budget is carried out by the heads of public schools respectively to meet the goal
Returned ten (10) questionnaires out of ten which were distributed to primary schools parents and guardians acknowledged to appreciate the services offered by the government at primary school level which made a 100% percent of acknowledgement; where at secondary school level out of ten (10) distributed questionnaires to parents and guardians, 7 parents which make 70% percent acknowledged to have appreciated services granted by the government for secondary school education in Tanzania; 3 parents or guardians out of ten (10) which make 30% percent didn’t acknowledged

Summary

Introduction

1.1 Background of the ProblemThe president of the United Republic of Tanzania Dr John Pombe Joseph Magufuli in his speech addressing the nation about educational difficulties for the majority of Tanzanians, introduced free fee primary and secondary schools education. Parents’ complains based on the hardship of payment and other costs facing their children schooling. He pledged that free fee primary education will start from standard one to standard seven, and form one to form four for those who passed the National Primary School Examinations. This became away to release the parents who were complaining of financial scarcity. Tanzania prepared herself to offer free fee education for all children at government’s schools emphasizing to the parents and guardians to abide on the rules and regulations. A. Pawaga 2015, p. 5)

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