Perception of Heads of School, Teachers, Students and Parents about the Relevance of Fee-Free Education in Iringa Municipal, Tanzania

Abstract

This study sought to establish Contributions of fee-free education in secondary schools towards student’s academic progress in Iringa Municipal through qualitative approach. The population of the study comprised five heads of schools and 35 teachers, parents and students through purposive sampling technique. Participants expressed a positive perception regarding the Contributions of fee-free education in secondary schools towards student’s academic progress. Fee Free Education in Tanzania has been a massive benefit hence it gives an access to education which increase students’ enrolment. for instance, FFSE in Iringa Municipality, the enrolment of form one students rose for about 45 percent to 5,386 in 2016 to more than 90 percent 43,826 in 2023. It is recommended that the government should expand the provision of service because, free education has minimized the gap in enrolment between the poor and non-poor children in Tanzania public schools, where the poor are now being more enrolled in schools than it was before. Also, different strategies such as building enough classrooms to accommodate all enrolled students in secondary schools should be into consideration. Moreover, Tanzania government should equip enough tables and chairs with appropriate ventilation to make learners enjoy teaching and learning process. Hence the provision of quality education can be possible.