School Mapping and Micro-Planning in Educational Development: The Tanzania Educational Management Perspectives

Abstract

The study was done in Kigoma district council. The general objective was to probe the role of school mapping and micro planning in educational development. Specific objectives were: Assessment of implementation process, examination of the educational development achievements and determining challenges of implementing school mapping and micro-planning. Survey research design, qualitative and quantitative research approaches were employed. Purposive and random sampling techniques were used to get required number of respondents (N=94.  Data collection methods used were interviews and documentary review, instruments used were interview questions, questionnaires and documentary review guide. SPSS and Microsoft excel were used during data analysis. The study revealed the implementation process of school mapping and micro-planning did not involve the rationalization of existing facilities, the creation, shifting, closure or amalgamation of institutions. The council failed to optimally utilize teaching and non-teaching staff, buildings, equipment and furniture and did not provide on job training to employees. The council increased enrollment and attendance of students and decreased incidents of students dropping out. The council lacked effective stakeholders’ participation, economic and funding uncertainties and increased teacher work-loads. The recommendations are: KDC to improve qualities of existing facilities through regular repair and maintenance, optimally utilize teaching and non-teaching staff as well as buildings, equipment and furniture and improve teaching and learning environment: The government to equitably distribute educational resources and stakeholders effectively participate and further research to be done on the effect of implementation of country wide educational development campaign on the school mapping and micro-planning.