Examining Financial Sustainability of Fee-Free Secondary Education in Tanzania

Abstract

This study was undertaken to examine financial sustainability in theprovision of secondary education through a fee-free education policy inTanzania. A concurrent embedded mixed research design was adopted.Data were collected from 421 respondents through stratified random,simple random and purposive sampling techniques using questionnaires,interviews, focus group discussion, and documentary review. Quantitativedata was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics analysiswhereas qualitative data was analysed through thematic data analysis.Among others, the findings indicate that financial sustainability of feefreesecondary education relies on the national financial and strategicplanning. As one survival strategy, this study recommends schools toestablish various income generating projects.Keywords: fee-free education, secondary education, sustainable education,Tanzania