Quality Assurance Practices in Tanzanian Community Secondary Schools Revealed by University of Dar es Salaam Researchers

Strategic Insights -

Investigations into teacher education conducted by the University of Dar es Salaam have shed light on the perspectives of teachers and quality assurers on quality assurance practices in rural community secondary schools in Njombe Region, southern Tanzania. The research, published in the African Journal of Teacher Education, highlights the challenges faced by quality assurers in improving school teaching and learning practices. The study concludes that adequate resources are necessary to enable regular school visits and notes the limited accessibility of some schools and lack of funds as key challenges.

Key Takeaways:

  • The research investigated quality assurance practices in rural community secondary schools in Wanging'ombe district of Njombe Region in southern Tanzania.
  • The study focused on elements such as time management, lesson plans, school infrastructure, examination setting, scheme of work, teachers' records, and students' academic reports.
  • Quality assurance practices aim to improve school teaching and learning practices, but face challenges such as limited accessibility and lack of funds.
  • The study identified the lack of funds and transport facilities as key challenges.
  • It is necessary to provide quality assurance practitioners with adequate resources to enable regular school visits.
  • The research employed a mixed approach and cross-sectional research design with thematic and descriptive data analysis.
  • The study found that the focus of quality assurance practices includes elements like time management, lesson plans, school infrastructure, examination setting, scheme of work, teachers' records, and students' academic reports.

Statistics:

  • The study was conducted in rural community secondary schools in Wanging'ombe district of Njombe Region in southern Tanzania.
  • The research employed a mixed approach and cross-sectional research design.
  • Thematic and descriptive data analysis were employed in the study.
  • The study identified 7 key elements of quality assurance practices, including time management, lesson plans, school infrastructure, examination setting, scheme of work, teachers' records, and students' academic reports.
  • The study concluded that adequate resources are necessary to enable regular school visits.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Study Findings from University of Dar es Salaam Broaden Understanding of Teacher Education (Quality assurance practices: The perspectives of teachers and quality assurers in selected rural Tanzanian community secondary schools). Education Letter. June 25, 2025; p 490.
  • Quality assurance practices: The perspectives of teachers and quality assurers in selected rural Tanzanian community secondary schools. African Journal of Teacher Education, 2025,14(1).