The Challenges Faced in Implementing Fee-Free Education Policy for Secondary Schools in Tanzania: The Case of Morogoro Municipality

Abstract

The study on the effectiveness of the free education policy in Tanzania was conducted in fee-free secondary schools in Morogoro municipality. The study was guided by three specific objectives; investigate the implementation of the free education policy in Morogoro municipality, examine challenges facing the implementation of the free education policy in Morogoro municipality and recommend methods for the effective implementation of free education policy in Morogoro municipality. The data were collected by using interviews, questionnaires, and documentary reviews. The study indicated that stakeholders were involved in the implementation of FFE in many ways including educating parents, students, and the community concerning the innovation, encouraging parents to send their children to school, making sure that fee is not paid in schools, and improving the academic performance of students. Stakeholders were satisfied with the introduction of FFE because it has provided relief in terms of education costs to parents and guardians. The study also revealed changes due to the implementation of FFE in Morogoro municipality. The changes include an increase in students’ enrolment, attendance in schools, demands of capitation grants in schools, supply of teaching materials than before, school services and buildings, and opportunities for parents and guardians to engage in social and economic activities. For proper performance of students in schools and provision of FFE, there is a need for the government to improve the modality and amount of funds allocated to run schools. The study recommended an increase in community participation and minimising challenges in school-related activities of implementing FFE, their students (??) and the community on the concept of FFE. In ensuring the commitment of teachers and heads of schools to implement FFE in schools, the working conditions should be improved by remunerating teachers properly, building houses for teachers, ensuring transport for students and teachers, establishing sanitary services, ensuring in-service teachers training, and availing them with teaching resources. In eliminating the big teacher-student ratio and shortage of teachers in schools, the government and non-governmental organisations should strive to train new teachers and employ them in schools. The quality assurance and monitoring department in the district should be supported to visit schools regularly. Their regular visits are expected to provide support to teachers and schools in terms of technical and professional challenges in teaching and operation of the school.