Influence of Devolution of Secondary Education Management on Performance of Students in CSEE in Dodoma, Tanzania

Authors

  • Ignas Anthon Chonya Department of Policy and Planning Monitoring and Evaluation, Ministry of Education Science and Technology, Tanzania.
  • George Julius Babune Department of Management Studies, Tanzania Institute of Accountancy, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Keywords:

Devolution, Dodoma, Performance, and Secondary Education.

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of devolution of secondary school education management on students’ academic performance in the City Council of Dodoma. The study employed a case study design, integrating both quantitative and qualitative research approaches. The sample comprised student leaders (N = 24) from six public secondary schools, City Director (N = 1), City Secondary Education Officer (N = 1), heads of schools (N = 6), teachers (N = 120), school board committee members (N = 6), school academic teachers (N = 6), and Ward Executive Officers (N = 6) selected by convenient sampling methods as key informants. Data were collected through interviews, questionnaire survey, documentary analysis, and observation methods. These were analyzed using descriptive statistics with Statistical Package for Social Sciences, content analysis, and thematic analysis.  Findings indicated that Certificate of Secondary Education Examination results were dominated by weak performance, with an average of 50.1% Division IV and a failure rate of 10% between 2021 and 2024. This indicated a slight decrease from 92.1% in 2021 to 91.4% in 2024. The study concludes that form four secondary students’ academic performance in public schools in the City Council of Dodoma remains low and unsatisfactory. It recommends that the government strategically continue investing in secondary education particularly in teachers’ welfare, teaching and learning resources, and school facilities to further strengthen the effectiveness of devolved education management.

References

Akram, M. W., Mahar, S., Arshad, M., & Zia, N. U. (2025). Unlocking power within: Unravelling the synergy between high-performance work practices, engagement, resilience, and optimization. Journal of Posthumanism, 5(1), 344–356. https://doi.org/10.63332/joph.v5i1.565

Bray, M. (2009). Comparative education: Continuing traditions, new challenges, and new paradigms (2nd ed.). Springer.

Elhag, G. M., Mahar, S., Akram, M. W., & Khan, N. (2026). Employee participation, training, and performance appraisal as determinants of employee retention: An empirical analysis of KSA universities. Journal of Management Practices, Humanities and Social Sciences, 10(1), 31–42. https://doi.org/10.33152/jmphss-10.1.3

Gaventa, J., & Valderama, C. (1999). Participation, citizenship, and local governance. Institute of Development Studies.

Haki Elimu. (2010). Are our children learning? Literacy and numeracy in Tanzanian schools. Haki Elimu.

Hulme, D., Mgema, K., & O’Neill, P. (2024). Decentralization and educational governance: Comparative lessons from Canada, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. Journal of Comparative Education Policy, 45(2), 115–134.

Hulme, R., Kvalsund, R., & Berry, J. (2024). Decentralization and Educational Governance: Global Lessons and Emerging Issues. International Journal of Educational Development, 97, 102744.

James, W. (1907). Pragmatism: A new name for some old ways of thinking. Harvard University Press.

Kapelela, C., Mislay, M. A., & Manyengo, P. R. (2024). The Politics of School Governance in the Context of Education Decentralisation Policy Reforms in Selected Public Secondary Schools in Tanzania. Cogent Education, 12(1). Directory of Open Access Journals.

Kapelela, E., Shayo, P., & Matete, R. (2025). Devolution and education reform in Tanzania: Progress, challenges, and prospects. Tanzania Journal of Education and Development Studies, 12(1), 33–49.

Kapelela, L., Mrema, J., & Johnson, M. (2025). Evaluating Fee-Free Education Policy Implementation in Tanzania. African Journal of Educational Management, 19(2), 55–72.

Kothari, C.R. (2004). Research Methodology and Techniques. New Delhi: New Age International (P) limited

Massoi, L., & Norman, A. (2010). Decentralization by devolution: The key to democracy and development in Tanzania? African Journal of Political Science and International Relations, 4(7), 261–273.

Matete, R. (2022). Decentralization reforms and the management of public education in Tanzania. International Journal of Educational Administration and Policy Studies, 14(3), 49–61.

Mgema, G. (2023). Education Governance Reforms and Learning Outcomes in Tanzania: A Review of Decentralization Efforts. Tanzania Journal of Development Studies, 21(1), 67–84.

Morgan, D. L. (2007). Paradigms lost and pragmatism regained: Methodological implications of combining qualitative and quantitative methods. Journal of Mixed Methods Research, 1(1), 48–76. https://doi.org/10.1177/2345678906292462

Mwemezi, J. (2018). The impact of decentralization on secondary school performance in Tanzania. Journal of Education and Practice, 9(32), 65–74.

Palacios, R., Pérez, M., & López, J. (2020). Decentralization and local governance performance: Lessons from Argentina. Latin American Public Administration Review, 18(2), 89–106.

Peirce, C. S. (1878). How to make our ideas clear. Popular Science Monthly, 12, 286–302.

Rao, V., Dasgupta, S., & Sharma, K. (2021). Decentralization, accountability, and education outcomes in India. International Journal of Development Studies, 17(3), 121–139.

Shayo, P. (2022). Democratic decentralization and citizen participation in Tanzania’s local governance. African Public Policy Review, 8(2), 44–60.

Sherman, A. (2016). The Role of Local Government in Strengthening School Management: Lessons from Developing Countries. International Review of Education, 62(5), 587–607.

Tashakkori, A., & Teddlie, C. (2010). SAGE handbook of mixed methods in social & behavioral research (2nd ed.). SAGE Publications.

United Republic of Tanzania (URT). (1984). Education in Tanzania after the Musoma Resolution. Ministry of Education.

United Republic of Tanzania (URT). (1998). Local Government Reform Programme Policy Paper. President’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government.

URT. (2008). Local Government Reform Programme II (2008–2013). Prime Minister’s Office–Regional Administration and Local Government.

URT. (2024). Form Four National Examination Results Report 2017–2023. National Examinations Council of Tanzania (NECTA).

World Bank. (2021). Tanzania Education Sector Institutional and Governance Assessment (World Bank Report No. 35973). Washington, DC: The World Bank.

Downloads

Published

2026-05-14

How to Cite

Chonya, I. A., & Babune, G. J. (2026). Influence of Devolution of Secondary Education Management on Performance of Students in CSEE in Dodoma, Tanzania. Singaporean Journal of Business Economics and Management, 12(3), 103–107. Retrieved from https://www.singaporeanjbem.com/index.php/SJBEM/article/view/607

Similar Articles

<< < 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.