CASTOR DONALD MROPE

0712001875

Jesmrope@gmail.com

2023

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 CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION
1.0 Introduction
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY.

The problem of poverty on school attendance and academic performance of secondary school
students is not only in Tanzanian primary schools but is a global issue which cuts across even in
developed countries. The problem affects the performance of primary schools students due to the
poverty most of the students attend rarely in school.

Tanzania like many other countries is facing with the issue of poverty which affect their student
performance in their examinations due to lack of necessities. Although the SEDP is expected to
sustain and consolidate gain attained through implementing the educational goals in areas of
quality management and conducive teaching and learning environment as expressed in the
performance evaluations in SEDPI still the problem of poverty not solved. The study intends to
examine the impacts of poverty on school attendance and academic performance among the
primary School pupils.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Poverty is detrimental to school attendance and academic performance among the primary school
pupils achievement in Mtwara rural district. Because of poverty some students lack some school
necessities like school uniform, school fees, shoes and exercise book as a results students from
poor families drop out of school. The consequences of this problem in the society includes
increase of illiterate rate in our society, decrease of skilled human resources in our society, led to
the un productive people due to the lack of skills, increase of number of street children and
increase of rate of crime. Therefore this study intended to show how poverty can affect school
attendance and academic performance among the primary school pupils in Mtwara rural district.

1.3 Significance of the Study.

This study helps the government and policy makers and planners to know how poverty affect
academic performance of the student who live in poor life and helps to know the needs of
children who live in poor life in order to perform well in academic performance. Furthermore, in

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the community and the parents the study helps them to know the challenges facing children from
poor family. For students this study helps them to know how poverty can be affect the academic
performance. Not only that but also the study benefits other researchers on the same topic as
their related literature.
1.4 Objective of the Study.
1.4.1. General Objective
The general objective of this study was to investigate the impact of poverty on school attendance
and academic performance among the primary school pupils at Mtwara rural district.
1.4.2. Specific Objective
i. To examine the causes of poverty in Mtwara rural district.
ii. The effect of poverty on school attendance and academic performance.
iii. The measures that will eradicate the challenges of poverty on school attendance and
academic performance in Mtwara rural district.
1.5 Research Question
i. What are the causes of poverty in Mtwara rural district?
ii. What are the effect of poverty on school attendance and academic performance?
iii. What are the measures that will eradicate the challenges of poverty on school attendance
and academic performance in Mtwara rural district?
1.8 Scope of the Study
This study was conducted in Mtwara rural district. The study was conducted in Mtwara rural
district especially at Moma and Ziwani wards in Mtwara region which is among the six district
of Mtwara region to find out the impact of poverty on school attendance and academic
performance among the primary school pupils in Tanzania.
1.9 Definitions of the Key Terms
Poverty - refers to the lack of means necessary to meet basic needs such as food, clothing and

Shelter.

Performance - According to this study performance is the very of students done their studies
either good or bad.

Academic performance - this means how students done good or bad in their subject.

Attendance - basing from the study is the situation of the students to be present in school and
classroom during the periods of studies.

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 CHAPTER TWO

LITERARURE REVIEW

2.0 Introduction
This chapter provides review on different scholars based on the impact of poverty on school
attendance and academic performance among the primary School pupils, according to (Jack and
Norman, 2000), literature review not only help the researcher to grasp what other scholars
written about the topic but also let him see the results of other (similar or related) studies more
over this section focused on the theories related to the topic.

2.1 Theoretical Literature review.

Various theories and models of poverty have been identified and have been grouped in the
following categories.

2.1.1 Individual Deficiencies Theories

These theories focus on the individuals responsible for their poverty situation. In general
individual deficiencies theories argue that poverty can be avoided by working harder and making
better choices. They also contend that poor lack incentives for improving their own condition
because of an over-reliance on welfare systems. These theories have received a lot of attention
and have been cited in writings on how to improve one’s well-being through well planned goals.

2.2. Review of related literature

For many children, the reasons for their absenteeism are attributable in large part to poverty.
Many families who live in poverty have limited access to essential resources, such as food,
permanent shelter, health care, mental health services, employment, and addiction treatment, to
name a few. Poor children often have a hard time securing reliable transportation to get them to
and from school.

Several studies report that kindergartners have the highest rate of absenteeism after high school
students. This finding is particularly alarming in light of the fact that early intervention is crucial
in a child’s development. “Falling behind before 3rd grade has a high correlation not just with
high school dropout rates, but with incarceration rates as well.” Chronic absenteeism and the

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effects of poverty have lifelong consequences that can fuel a cycle of poverty for generations.
Cutillo, M (2013).

2.3 Research gap

Many researches tried a lot to discuss about this topic, example Johanes M (2014) transport
problems for students and their effects on attendance in community secondary schools in Dar es
Salaam city, Tanzania Also Research Action Council (2015) conducted about Poverty and school
attendance. Therefore by referring different researchers none of them explain in detail on how
poverty affects attendance and academic performance among the primary school pupils. Several
studies report that kindergartners have the highest rate of absenteeism after high school students.
But they did concentrating on problem of poverty, moreover they did us primary schools level.
Therefore, this study was a cornerstone toward investigating on the impacts of poverty on school
attendance and academic performance to the primary school education level in focusing to the
pupils.

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 CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.0 Introduction
This chapter presented the research method design adopted in the study. It describes the research
procedures in terms of research approach, research design, targeted population, sampling
producers, data collection techniques data analysis strategies.

3.1 Research Approach

The study involved both quantitative and qualitative approach. Qualitative approach which seeks
to understand by means of exploration while quantitative approach is an approach in which a
researcher, ask specific question, collects numerical data from participants, analyze data in
numbers using statistics. (Cresswell 2005).

3.2 Research Design

According to Kothari (2004), defines research design as the arrangement of condition for
collection and analysis of data in manner that aims to combine relevance to the research purpose
with economy in procedure. This study used an explanatory mixed research design which
consists of first collecting quantitative data and then collecting qualitative data to help to explain
or elaborate on quantitative results.

3.3 Study Area

The study was conducted in Mtwara rural district. Mtwara Rural is one of the 5 districts of the
Mtwara Region of Tanzania. It is bordered to the South by Mozambique, to the West by the
Tandahimba District, to the North by the Lindi Region and to the East by the Mtwara Urban
District and the Indian Ocean.

3.4 Target Population

Is the population as whole group of people, animal or thing that is to be studied or on which the
researcher is based (Doe 1979). This study will use students, teachers, parents or guardians,
heads of schools, ward education officers and district educational officer of Mtwara rural district
so as to facilitate the collection of data.

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3.5 Sample and Sampling procedures
Is the process of obtaining information about the entire population by examining only part of it
(Kothari, 2000). Researcher will use randomly sampling to select school and respondents such as
students, teachers, head of schools and parents.

3.6 Sample Size

The study involved 100 respondents where by students are 50, teachers are 18, parents are 25,
head of school one from each school (4), ward educational officer 2 and 1 district educational
officer.

3.7 Data Collection Techniques

This study was used questionnaire, interview, and documentary and information about the
problem.

3.7.1 Questionnaire method

Is the method of data collection where by questionnaires sent to the persons with request to
answer the questions and return the questionnaires to the researcher (Kothari C.R. 2004).

3.7.2 Interview
Is the method of collecting data which involved presentation of oral-verbal stimuli and reply in
terms of oral-verbal responses. This method used personal interview and if possible telephone
interview. (Kothari, C.R. 2004).

3.7.3 Documentary review.

Are the data which are collected a fresh and for the first time and this happen to be original in
character (Kathori, 2004). This instrument will help the researcher to know the attendance and
academic performance of the students.

3. 9 Data Analysis Techniques

Mill, (2007), argued that, data analysis is an attempt by the researcher, to summarize, collected
data in dependable and accurate manner”. Data analysis was done after acquire all required
information from the respondents through interview, questionnaires and documentation, and this
was achieve with assistance of computer software known Microsoft excel.

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 CHAPTER FOUR

DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSIONS

4.0 Introduction
This chapter presents analyses and discusses the findings obtained from the field related to
“Impacts of poverty on school attendance and academic performance among the primary School
pupils in Tanzania A case study Mtwara rural district”. The presentation was based on the
objectives of the study. These objectives included;

i. To examine the causes of poverty in Mtwara rural district.

ii. The effect of poverty on school attendance and academic performance.
iii. The measures that will eradicate the challenges of poverty on school attendance and
academic performance in Mtwara rural district.

4.1 Demographic Information

This part shows the background information that includes gender, ages, educational level of the
respondents and marital status of the respondents.

4.1.1 Gender of Respondents

The data collected from both male and female groups, whereby both sex participated to give out
the data of whom male were 43(43%) out of 100 and female were 57(57%) out of 100 as shown
in Figure 4.1
Figure 4.1Gender of Respondents

Male
43%

Female
57%

Source: Field Data, 2020

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4.1.2 Education level of Respondents
The respondents involved in this study were in different levels of education from which the
teachers, students and parents levels of education were in the following status; primary level
includes 52 (52%), ordinary level includes 21 (21%) and certificates includes 7 (7%), diploma
level includes 14 (14%) and degree level includes 6 (6%).
Figure 4.2 Education Level of the Respondents

Education level of the respondents

60% 52%
50%
40%
30% 21%
20% 14%
7% 6%
10%
0%
primary level, 5% ordinary level,5% certificates level diploma level degree level

Source: Field data, 2020

4.1.3 Age of respondents

In identifying age of respondents from the study area, the age was fixed in interval whereby
range from 13 years to 30and above. For that case, the result on age of respondents shows that,
from age interval of 7 – 14 year were 47 respondents that make 47% of respondents, age between
15 – 20 years they were 7 numbers respondents which equal 7% of respondents, 16 number of
respondents which equal to 16 % were in age between 21 – 25year, and the age between 26 – 30
years were 17 respondents which were equal to 17% of respondents, while 13 respondents which
equal to 13% of respondents were in age of 31 and above as presented to the figure 4.2 below.

Figure 4.3 Age of respondents

50%
40%
30%
20% 47% PERCENTAGE
10% 16% 17%
7% 13%
0%
15 - 20 21-25 26-30 31 And above

Source: Field Data, 2020

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4.2 The causes of poverty in Mtwara rural district
Table 4.1 The Responses of respondents on the causes of poverty in Mtwara rural district.
Responses Total Percentage
Ineffective governance policy on economic infrastructure 24 24%
Geographical characteristics of Mtwara rural district 26 26%
High rate of illiteracy 23 23%
Total 100 100%
Field data (2020).

4.2.1 Ineffective governance policy on economic infrastructure

The data collected from the respondents through questionnaires from 48 (48%) out of 68 teachers
and students, poor economic policy in establishment of economic infrastructure was the legacy
of poverty situation that prevailing in Mtwara region. With regards to the economic potentials of
Mtwara regions, still community is still suffering from economic wellbeing.

4.2.2 Geographical characteristics of Mtwara district

The data collected through questionnaires from 58 (85%) out of 68 students and teachers
revealed that in Mtwara rural district inherently poor due to their geographic characteristics that
predispose them to weak economic. Survey from Mtwara rural district indicating existing of low
agricultural production that geographically the area is near to Indian ocean.

4.2.3 High rate of illiteracy

The data collected from the respondents through questionnaires from 48 (48%) out of 68 teachers
and students revealed that, education in the community is still low to the extends that now
priority given to the education, parents does not put any effort in production to help their
children, and this have been taken as normal over the community, very fewer community are
aware on important on education and economic growth, this situation creating continuous circle
of illiterate that contributing to the poverty.

4.3 The effect of poverty on school attendance and academic performance of students at
Mtwara rural district.
Table 4.2: The Responses of respondents on the effect of poverty on school attendance and
academic performance of students in Mtwara rural district.

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Responses Total Percentage
Social-Emotional behaviour 17 17%
Earl Pregnancy 16 16%
Poor Attendance at School 23 23%
Field data (2020).

4.3.1Social-Emotional behaviour
The interview with 22 (79%) out of 28 parents and education officers reported that it is also
important to consider how emotions relate to poverty and education. Students who live in
poverty-stricken families encounter many situations that can seriously affect them socially and
emotionally. Studies show that many of these students live in single-parent households. When
only one adult provides for a child’s needs, that parent suffers a great deal of stress; they struggle
financially, and they often get inadequate rest. The effects of negative and unstable environments
manifest in children’s behavior at school.

4.3.2 Earl Pregnancy

The finding from interview with District Education Officer (DEO), Ward Educational Officer
and parents who were 25 (25%) out of 28 respondents explained that the great number of
pregnancy girl increase due to the fact that, students were live in poverty o were not able to
afford their basic needs so it was very easy for people of convince him to engage in love affairs
hence early pregnancy for students.

4.3.3 Poor Attendance at School

Findings from questionnaire which involved parents, Head of school, teachers and students
displayed that 72 respondents which is 72% explained about the situation of poor attendance of
students at school because of poverty which mainly affected them in attending to school. From
interview with parents who were 22 out of 25 which is 25% explained that poor attendance was
one among of the impact of poverty in Mtwara rural district.

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4.4 The measures that will eradicate the challenges of poverty on school attendance and
academic performance in Mtwara rural district.
Table 4.3 The Responses of respondents on the measures that will eradicate the challenges
of poverty on school attendance and academic performance of students in Mtwara rural
district.

Responses Total Percentage

Provision of education on importance of education 98 98%
Motivation of students from family with low socio-economic status 28 88%
Community to be Creative on Economic Opportunities 62 91%
Field data (2020).

4.4.1 Provision of education on importance of education

The finding show that 98% of respondents which represent 98 respondents out of 100
respondents suggested that, since some of the parents were not aware with the importance of
education. And therefore, they suggested that, these roles should be admitted to the school
administration, whereby through school meeting, administration should use that chance to
motivate them, to understand importance of education and therefore should provide education on
important of participating in leading academic student.

4.4.2 Motivation of students from family with low socio-economic status

The interview with 28 (88%) out of 32 parents, education officer and heads of schools
commented that Persistent problems with teachers in terms of teaching environment and their
welfare need to be comprehensively addressed, that in ensuring good attendance and
performance. it is important for teachers to increases their effort in motivating students who are
from family with poor economic situation.

4.4.3 Community to be Creative on Economic Opportunities

The data collected through questionnaires with 62 (91%) respondents out of 68 teachers
identified the contributors in student’s achievements in education are parents, teachers as well as
government. Parents and teachers has to work hand in hand to ensure that children are working
hard in academic when are at home and at school.

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 CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.0 Introduction

5.1 Summary of the findings

In this section providing the summary of research findings obtained from Mtwara rural district
on the impacts of poverty on school attendance and academic performance among the primary
school pupils in Tanzania.

5.2 Conclusion
From the findings, it has been pointed out that there is close link that exists between poverty
situation existing to the community of Mtwara rural district with school attendance and poor
academic performance in public primary schools Mtwara rural district.

5.3 Recommendations
5.3.1 Recommendations for the actions
 Parents should struggle for improvement of socio-economic status through working hard
seeking other economic opportunities to help in fulfillment of schools to their children.

 Teachers’ have to inspire and motivate students to study so they can improve their academic
performance.
 The government through ministry of education can also help by providing the needed school
materials regularly and check the illegal payment of unapproved fees on educational
materials to enable school children to be in school.

5.3.2 Recommendation for the further studies

The study was conducted in small area (in Mtwara rural District) with few sample size.
Therefore other researchers should conduct a research on the “Impacts of poverty on school
attendance and academic performance among the primary School pupils in Tanzania” in
recognize so as to come with the data that can be generalized.

a)
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