This study sought to establish teachers’ perception on the schools’ effectiveness in the development of the strategic plan, the perception of teachers on how the implementation of the strategic plan affects the academic performance and what should be done to ensure an effective strategic planning. The study used a mixed research approach while employing the convergent parallel design. The study population consisted of 2,844 stakeholders from 5 sampled schools whereby 185 respondents were drawn. The study concluded that there was effectiveness in the development of the Strategic Plan; the implementation of the strategic plan contributed to improved academic performance and various strategies were used by heads of schools to ensure that strategic plans were implemented. The study recommends that to be more effective in developing strategic plans, heads of schools should involve all stakeholders and hire experts to facilitate strategy formulations. Secondly, school heads should educate the school communities about benefits derived from effective implementation of strategic plans so that they can fully be committed to its implementation. Finally, school heads should come up with new strategies that will minimize resistance by school community members so as to speed up adoption as opposed to being pushed all the time by heads of schools in order for them to comply.

This study sought to establish the availability of ICT facilities and teachers competence in the use of ICT among public secondary schools in Ngara, Tanzania. The study employed a mixed research approach in that interview schedule and questionnaire were employed as sources of data. The population of the study was 525 stakeholders from 31 secondary schools, including the DEO, the WEO, the Heads of schools, ICT manager and teachers. Simple random sampling and purposive sampling were used to determine the sample of 84 respondents from four randomly selected schools. Qualitative data was analyzed based on themes while quantitative data was analyzed descriptively. The study revealed that the schools faced non availability of ICT facilities and internet connection. They also faced limited electricity supply and limited funds for maintenance of facilities. Furthermore, a significant number of teachers did not have competence in any of the aspects of computer. Very few could use internet while another few had some competence in hardware and programming. Therefore, it was recommended that the government and other education stakeholders should organize for seminars and workshop for capacity building so that teachers may gain knowledge and competence in the use of ICT facilities. The Ministry of Education should allocate funds for buying ICT facilities and devices and for maintenances.

This study sought to establish strategies used in mobilizing physical resource through the mixed research approach under which convergent parallel design was used. The study was conducted across 26 public secondary schools in Kilolo District with 662 teachers, 26 heads of schools and one District Education Officer (DEO). Five heads of schools and the DEO were purposively selected to take part in the interview while 81 teachers were randomly selected to take part in the study through the questionnaire. Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics with the help of the SPSS while qualitative data was analysed thematically. The study established that the most used strategy in mobilizing resources was funds from income generation activities followed by involvement of the community in construction of school buildings, purchase of desks and repair of broken furniture. Since physical resources are one of most important tools for curriculum implementation, the study recommends that the use of different strategies to mobilize physical resources should be considered by schools under investigation.

This study sought to investigate on the roles of parents in enhancing children’s academic performance among Public Secondary Schools at Nyamagana District, Tanzania. The study employed the mixed research approach to organize the qualitative and quantitative data so as to deal with the research problem. The sample for this study included 88 students whereby Simple random sampling was used to select them. Purposive sampling was used to select the DEO, WEO and some teachers while parents were selected through convenient sampling. Data was gathered through questionnaire and interview schedule. The instruments were validated by two research experts from Saint Augustine University of Tanzania. The study concludes that parents are somehow not doing very well on the issue of parenting as a good number of them did not play their role effectively. Parental role in communication with teachers was done well as a good number of parents rarely or never communicated with teachers to make follow ups regarding their children’s education. The rate of parents’ volunteering in school development activities was very low and the rate of parental participation in supervision of students’ learning at home was very minimal. However, parents participated in decision making regarding school related activities. Finally, parents were not doing well on issues related to community participation. Based on the conclusions, it is recommended that since the rate of parental participation in enhancing children’s academic performance is low, school authorities need to organize for seminars and workshops to parents on the importance of their participation in school related programs that enhance the academic performance of their children.

The purpose of this study was to investigate on the challenges facing school heads in controlling finances among public secondary schools in Bukombe District, Tanzania. The study employed a mixed research approach using Convergent parallel design. The population of the study was 368 education stakeholders. The sample size included 1 Education Officer, 1 District Auditor, 17 Board members, 3 School heads, 3 school Bursars and 54 Teachers. The sample was obtained by using simple random and purposive sampling techniques. Quantitative data was analyzed by using descriptive analysis with the help of SPSS version 20. For qualitative data, thematic approach was used. The study revealed different challenges facing heads of schools in implementing financial control measures including lack of training and transparency, inadequate finances and poor cooperation with stakeholders. The study recommends that the heads of schools should be helped to acquire knowledge and skills necessary for effective financial management.