Original Research Article
The Effect of COVID-19 pandemic on the implementation of free education policy in Tanzania: A case of public secondary schools in Arusha City
1*Kastuli Joseph and 1Laban M. Irhene
1University of Arusha, Tanzania, School of Education, Arusha, Tanzania
*Corresponding Author Email: gissamay2(at)gmail.com
Kastuli Joseph |
Laban M. Irhene |
Article Number: IJEPRR.21.022 | Pages: 200-207 | Vol. 8 (5), September-October 2021 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.15739/IJEPRR.21.022
Received: August 28, 2021 Accepted: October 2, 2021 Published: October 11, 2021
Abstract
This study assessed the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on implementation of free education policy in Tanzania by focusing on public secondary schools in Arusha city. The sample size employed in the study was 91 respondents chosen randomly from the population of 1035 teachers. The study applied descriptive-correlation design using quantitative approach whereby the questionnaire was used as the instrument for data collection. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics with the aid of SPSS. Findings showed that while schools did not report cases of COVID-19, the pandemic resulted to school closure, disruption of school timetable, anxiety among teachers. Findings also revealed that public secondary schools in Arusha City implemented free education policy by abolishing school fee. Findings further showed that there was weak positive correlation between the COVID-19 situation and the implementation of the free education policy. On the basis of study findings, this research concludes that COVID-19 has affected provision of free education in terms of disruption of school time table leading to inefficiency in completion of syllabus. Based on the study findings, this study recommends that the government should increase grants for education to schools so as to allow schools to have adequate supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) such as hand sanitizers, and face masks.
Keywords: COVID-19, free education policy, implementation, secondary schools.
How to Cite this Article
Kastuli J, Laban MI(2021). The Effect of COVID-19 pandemic on the implementation of free education policy in Tanzania: A case of public secondary schools in Arusha City. Int. J. Educ. Pol. Res. Rev. 8(5):200-207.
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