The Contribution of the Community to the Development of School Projects among Ward Secondary Schools in Magu District, Tanzania

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to establish the contribution of the community to the development of school projects among ward Secondary Schools in Magu District, Tanzania. The study was guided by Social System Theory. The study adopted a mixed research design.The target population of the study was 1061, consisting of 1 District Education Officer, 20 heads of secondary schools, 20 Ward Education Officers and 20 Ward Executive Officers. Simple random sampling was used to select a sample of 276 community members while 5 school heads, 4 Ward Education Officers, 4 ward Executive Officers and one District Education Officer were purposively selected. Questionnaires and interview guides were used to collect data. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics in terms of frequencies and percentages while Narrative Analysis was used to analyze qualitative data. The findings indicated that despite Fee Free education policy still community members contributed to the development of school projects in Magu District mostly in the form of finances. Secondly, it was found that the method of resource mobilization that exist is mainly contributions from parents. The study recommended that the community should be educated on other forms of contribution to foster school development projects. And once the funds are available they should be used prudently so as to motivate community participation.