The Impact Of Secondary Schools Pupils’ Sexual Relationship On Academic Progress In Tanzania: A Case Of Urban District Zanzibar

ABSTRACT

This study scrutinized the impact of secondary school pupils‟ sexual relationship on academic progress in Tanzania, A case of Urban District Zanzibar. It adopted exploratory research design, where both qualitative and quantitative approaches were employed. Through which primary and secondary data were used in data collection. In primary data the study used in-depth interview, questionnaires and focus group discussion while in secondary data it used documentary review. The data were analysed by using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). In sampling technique, stratified sampling, purposive sampling and snowball sampling were used to get the respondents. A total of 169 respondents constituted the sample of the study. These included District Educational Officer, Head Teachers, Discipline Teachers and pupils from Haile Selassie Secondary School, Vikokotoni Secondary School, Jang‟ombe Secondary School and Kidongo chekundu Secondary School. The result of the study reveals that majority of pupils in Urban District are exposed to high risk of dropping out due to their engagement in sexual relations which seemed to be a common conduct. Findings disclose 39% of respondents among the pupils are in danger to get pregnancy and then to drop out of school due to their engagement in sexual relations. Finally, the study recommends the following to the government and other stakeholders: establishment of an independent unit in each school dealing with students for counseling and guidance, introduction of peer group education in schools to help Students share experiences and educate themselves on different matters including sex and Sexuality and last, finding a suitable way which will work efficiently and effectively in controlling students‟ mobile phone use.