Challenges Faced By School Boards In Managing Community Secondary Schools: The Case Of Kiteto District- Manyara Region Of Tanzania

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to investigate the challenges faced by school boards in managing community secondary schools in Kiteto district. Specific objectives of the study were to: assess the awareness of school board members on the roles of managing community secondary schools in Kiteto district; identify challenges faced by school boards and suggest appropriate strategies to improve school board roles in managing community secondary schools. The study employed a cross-sectional research design dominated by qualitative research approach and supported by some elements of quantitative approach. During data collection, interviews, questionnaires, and documentary review were used to gather relevant information. A total of 67 respondents from 6community secondary schools were involved in this study. Stratified, simple random and purposive sampling techniques were used in obtaining the sample of the study.Datacollected from interviews and documentary reviews were analysed by content analysis while those from questionnaireswere analysed using SPSSversion 20 computer software and results were summarizedin percentages and frequencies.The study was guided by scientific management and system theories. The study found that to a large extent school boards are aware of their roles that include; monitoring budget, controlling teachers and students disciplines and ensuring availability of teaching and learning materials among other roles. The performance of the school boards was greatly affected by lack of sufficient funds, lack of training and poor cooperation between school boards and other stake holders. The study concludes that, school boards play a fundamental role in managing community secondary schools despite the challenges they face. The studyrecommends that, specialtraining programmes should be planned in order to capacitate school board members so that they can fully understand and play their roles in managing community secondary schools more efficiently and effectively.