School-Community Partnership In The Implementation Of Primary School Feeding Programmes In Tanzania: A Case Of Chamwino District Council

ABSTRACT

This research aimed at analyzing partnerships existing between schools and communities in the implementation of School Feeding Programmes (SFP) taking Chamwino district as a case study. Specifically, the study sought to determine how the SFPs were introduced, rationale for the SFP, types of partnerships, perception of stakeholders on the contribution of SFPs as well as challenges facing the partnerships and measures adopted for improving SFP. The study used a case study design to get in depth data on the school-community partnerships in the implementation of SFP. This study used a purposeful random sampling of 40 respondents including pupils, head teachers, teachers, parents, school committee members and Village Executive Officers (VEOs). The data on SFP were collected by using structured questionnaire, checklist, documentary review and focus group discussion (FGD). The analysis of data was done through the use of SPSS-15. The findings of this study revealed that, the introduction of SFP was necessitated by poor performance, poor attendance and high drop out in primary schools. In the partnerships framework, the focus has been on financing, provision of labour and material support. However, lack of awareness on SFP and water shortage at school levels were the key limiting factors for an effective school – community paternership in the implementation of SFP The study recommended, among other things that, there should be reliable water supply at school level. This could be possible through having water harvesting project and bore holes that cater for many schools.