Social Science and Human Research Bulletin

This study explored the challenges facing the implementation of school quality assurance (SQA) practices in public secondary schools in Bunda Town Council, Tanzania. A qualitative approach with a multiple case study design was employed to gain in-depth insights. Using purposive and convenience sampling techniques, a sample of 25 participants was selected, including one District School Quality Assurance Officer, five headteachers, and 19 teachers from five schools. Data were collected through interviews and focus group discussions. Trustworthiness was ensured through credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability, while ethical considerations such as informed consent, confidentiality, and voluntary participation were observed. Findings revealed major challenges, including limited financial support, inadequate professional development, negative attitudes among educators, heavy workloads, and weak community involvement. These challenges hinder the effectiveness of SQA in improving teaching and learning. The study recommends that the government increase resource allocation, enhance capacity building, and strengthen collaboration to improve school quality assurance (SQA) practices.

School quality assurance practices, challenges, and public secondary schools

1. Adepoju, T. L., & Akinola, O. B. (2009). A study of secondary school teachers’ perception of school inspection in Lagos State, Nigeria. International Journal of Educational Research, 5(1), 98–108. https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ijer/article/view/41673
2. Adeyemi, T. O., & Adeyinka, A. A. (2019). Challenges of school inspection in Nigeria: Implications for quality assurance in secondary education. Journal of Education and Practice, 10(15), 45–52. https://doi.org/10.7176/JEP
3. Bryman, A. (2016). Social research methods (5th ed.). Oxford University Press.
4. Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2018). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches (4th ed.). SAGE.
5. Etikan, I., Musa, S. A., & Alkassim, R. S. (2016). Comparison of convenience sampling and purposive sampling. American Journal of Theoretical and Applied Statistics, 5(1), 1–4. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajtas.20160501.11
6. European Commission. (2023). Education and training monitor 2023: Quality assurance in schools. Brussels: European Commission. https://education.ec.europa.eu
7. Georgios, P., Maria, K., & Dimitrios, L. (2022). Challenges faced by school quality assurance officers in secondary education. International Journal of Educational Development, 88, 102-118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedudev.2021.102118
8. Kosia, M., & Okendo, J. (2018). The effectiveness of school quality assurance in Arusha City secondary schools. African Journal of Educational Research, 6(2), 75–89.
9. Lincoln, Y. S., & Guba, E. G. (1985). Naturalistic inquiry. SAGE.
10. Lyimo, N. C. (2014). The role of school inspection in improving academic performance in community secondary schools in Tanzania. Journal of Education and Practice, 5(16), 1–7.
11. Mahlangu, S. (2018). Challenges of implementing quality assurance frameworks in South African secondary schools. South African Journal of Education, 38(4), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.15700/saje.v38n4a1562
12. Medard, M., & Mwila, T. (2022). Implementation challenges of school quality assurance practices in Temeke Municipality, Tanzania. Journal of Education and Learning, 11(3), 45–60. https://doi.org/10.5539/jel.v11n3p45
13. Mfaume, H., & Bilinga, M. (2017). School inspection in Tanzania: Challenges and opportunities for teacher development. Journal of Education and Training Studies, 5(9), 87–97. https://doi.org/10.11114/jets.v5i9.2579
14. Mosha, H. J. (2006). Planning education systems for excellence. Dar es Salaam: E & D Limited.
15. Nada, H. (2022). School quality assurance and teacher performance in Tanzanian secondary schools: Challenges and prospects. International Journal of Educational Administration and Policy Studies, 14(2), 30–41.
16. Nada, H., & Waweru, P. (2020). [Replace with proper title if needed].
17. Njeru, E. H. N., & Orodho, J. A. (2003). Education financing in Kenya: Secondary school bursary scheme implementation and challenges. Nairobi: Institute of Policy Analysis and Research (IPAR).
18. Oakland, J. S. (2014). Total quality management and operational excellence: Text with cases (4th ed.). Routledge.
19. OECD. (2021). School evaluation for quality improvement: Insights from OECD countries. Paris: OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/9789264309090-en
20. Talib, F., Rahman, Z., & Qureshi, M. N. (2019). Total quality management and its effect on organizational performance: Evidence from service sector. International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, 36(3), 334–356. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJQRM-06-2018-0141
21. The Citizen. (2024, September 24). Education: Inside Tanzania’s quest to plug quality assurance gaps. The Citizen. https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/tanzania/news/national/education-inside-tanzania-s-quest-to-plug-quality-assurance-gaps-4876788
22. Uwazi. (2010). Tanzania’s education sector: Perceptions and realities. Dar es Salaam: Policy Forum.
23. Waweru, J., & Muola, J. (2020). Challenges facing school inspectors in Kenya: Implications for secondary education quality. Journal of Educational Administration, 58(5), 627–641. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEA-10-2019-0204
24. Yin, R. K. (2018). Case study research and applications: Design and methods (6th ed.). SAGE.