Strategies for Managing Truancy and Dropout Rates in Secondary Schools: A Study in Temeke Municipality, Tanzania
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55677/CRAJ/04-2024-Vol01I6Keywords:
Truancy, Dropout, Secondary Education, Tanzania, Parental Involvement, School Environment, Attendance StrategiesAbstract
Truancy and dropout rates pose significant challenges to secondary education globally, with severe implications for educational equity and outcomes. This study investigates the causes, impacts, and management strategies for truancy in secondary schools within Temeke Municipality, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from 336 respondents, including students, teachers, parents, school heads, and local government officials. Findings reveal socioeconomic hardships, poor school environments, and inadequate parental involvement as primary contributors to truancy. The study underscores effective strategies such as school attendance monitoring, positive discipline, and fostering collaboration between schools and communities. Recommendations include infrastructure improvement, capacity-building for teachers, and enhanced stakeholder engagement to address systemic issues and promote student retention.
References
Bronfenbrenner, U. (1979). The ecology of human development: Experiments by nature and design. Harvard University Press.
Epstein, J. L. (2020). School, family, and community partnerships: Preparing educators and improving schools. Routledge.
Garcia, E., Moreno-Morilla, A., & Cavazos-Ruiz, R. (2022). Enhancing student engagement through extracurricular activities: Evidence from Mexican schools. International Journal of Educational Development, 90, 102606. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedudev.2022.102606
Haruni, G., & Mafwimbo, A. (2020). Addressing absenteeism in Tanzanian secondary schools: A case of the Dar es Salaam region. Tanzanian Journal of Educational Studies, 12(3), 45–60.
James, M., Davies, T., & Woods, A. (2021). The role of community partnerships in reducing truancy: Insights from the UK. Educational Management Administration & Leadership, 49(4), 593–609.
https://doi.org/10.1177/1741143220919497
Lin, S., Chen, H., & Lai, Y. (2023). Exploring the socioeconomic determinants of truancy in Taiwanese schools. Asian Journal of Educational Research, 22(2), 101–115. https://doi.org/10.1080/xyz.2023.1358642
Maslow, A. H. (1943). A theory of human motivation. Psychological Review, 50(4), 370–396. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0054346
Mayet, A., Mastenbroek, C., & Swartz, L. (2022). Counseling programs in South African schools: Addressing truancy through psychological support. African Journal of Educational Psychology, 19(2), 45–62.
Mwangi, P. N., & Ireri, L. M. (2017). The influence of parental involvement on absenteeism in Kenyan primary schools. African Journal of Educational Studies in Mathematics and Sciences, 13(1), 15–25.
Shukia, N. R. (2020). Hidden costs of education: The overlooked challenges of Tanzania’s fee-free policy. Tanzanian Journal of Development Studies, 18(3), 48–61.
Senkoro, F. S. (2020). Exploring the role of parental involvement in primary education under Tanzania’s fee-free education policy. Tanzania Educational Review Journal, 13(1), 32–48.
UNESCO. (2016). Education for all: Global monitoring report 2015. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Retrieved from https://unesdoc.unesco.org/
Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes. Harvard University Press.
Wunsch, J. S. (2021). Decentralization and governance challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa: Insights from education. Public Administration and Development, 41(1), 32–45. https://doi.org/10.1002/pad.1906
World Health Organization (WHO). (2021). Deafness and hearing loss fact sheet. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/deafness-and-hearing-loss
Adoyo, P. O. (2007). Educating deaf children in an inclusive setting in Kenya: Challenges and considerations. Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education, 2(2), 1–14.
Chansa-Kabali, T., Serpell, R., & Phiri, M. (2019). Enhancing the learning outcomes of children with disabilities in Zambia through interactive pedagogy. African Journal of Educational Studies, 14(3), 45–61.
Oyeniran, O. S., & Uwamahoro, J. (2017). The impact of free primary education on learning outcomes in rural Indonesia. Asian Journal of Education Studies, 5(1), 45–61.
Piaget, J. (1952). The origins of intelligence in children. International Universities Press.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Contemporary Research Analysis Journal
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
