PHD-Department of Early Childhood Studies

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Browsing PHD-Department of Early Childhood Studies by Subject "Business women--Tanzania--Himo district"

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    Challenges and opportunities faced by women educational entrepreneurs in the management of private schools in Himo district, Tanzania
    (2011-05-01) Namkari, Grace David Msangi
    The purpose of the study was to investigate the challenges and opportunities faced by women entrepreneurs in the management and operation of independent private schools in Tanzania. The objectives of the study were to describe the situational analysis of independent private schools operated by women entrepreneurs in Tanzania, and to establish the challenges and opportunities they faced in selected case schools. The research study was qualitative in nature and data were collected through a case study approach, direct observations, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and content analysis of school records. Multiple data sources were used to enrich the study including school owners, teachers, parents and community leaders. The data collected was then triangulated and analyzed qualitatively by examining patterns and themes associated with challenges and opportunities in school management. The findings of this study showed that there were three general categories of challenges and opportunities facing the school entrepreneurs namely: a) Educational and professional factors; b) Economic and political factors; and c) Social-cultural factors. The economic and political challenges included inadequate capital, limited physical facilities and tax burdens. Educational and professional challenges comprised of the demand for quality education complemented by English-medium curriculum and high expectations of students' academic performance. Social-cultural challenges including the burden of providing education and care for orphans and vulnerable children, and the lack of community care structures for needy children. The following opportunities for private schools were identified: great demand for quality education and an increased school enrollment, creation of employment opportunities for trained teachers, and demand for boarding school at the primary and secondary levels which ensured sustainability of these educational businesses. Recommendations to provide an enabling environment for private school entrepreneurs included provision of credit facilities to enable them expand their businesses, consideration for tax exemptions for teaching and learning materials, and development of training programmes to enhance their managerial skills and service delivery. In conclusion, despite the myriad challenges facing women educational entrepreneurs in the management and operation of independent private schools in Tanzania, there were opportunities available for their survival, growth and development