The Role of School Management Team in Managing Students’ Academic Performance in Community Secondary Schools in Tabora Municipality- Tanzania

Abstract

This study aimed at examining the role of school management team in managing students’ academic performance in Tabora municipality Tanzania. The study employed mixed method approach and convergent parallel design to collect data. The study involved both qualitative and quantitative data. The study applied simple random sampling technique and purposive technique to collect information from respondents. Simple random sampling technique was used to select community secondary schools, teachers and students while purposive sampling technique was applied to sample heads of secondary schools and district education officer to participate in the study. The study employed questionnaires and interview guides to collect information from respondents. Questionnaires were applied to collect information from teachers and students while interview guides were used to collect data from heads of schools and District Educational Officer. Quantitative data were analyzed by using statistical package of social science (SPSS) version 20 while thematic analysis was used to analyze qualitative data. The findings revealed that school management team plays a great role in managing the performance of students academically. Furthermore, the findings of the study revealed that school management team is facing various challenges such as lack of training to members of SMT, insufficient support from community around the school, students’ misbehaviors, inadequate of financial support from the government, unconduicive of teaching and learning environment, lack of teaching and learning materials and lack of parents’ involvement in students learning process. The study suggests that the government should provide enough funds to the school management team in community secondary schools to enable them be able to manage students’ academic performance.