Effects of COVID-19 Outbreak on Students’ Education in Secondary Schools in Ikungi District in Singida Region, Tanzania

Effects of COVID-19 Outbreak on Students’ Education in Secondary Schools in Ikungi District in Singida Region, Tanzania

John Makabe
Parish Priest;Catholic Diocese of Singida
Christ the King Parish
P.O. Box 1047-Singida
Email: makabejohn645@gmail.com
Dr. Kennedy Omondi Otieno
Coordinator Postgraduate Studies Research & Publications
St. Augustine University of Tanzania (SAUT), Arusha.
P.O. Box 12385 – Arusha, Tanzania.
Email: omondiken2016@gmail.com

Abstract: The study investigated Effects of COVID-19 Outbreak on Students’ Education in Secondary Schools in Ikungi district, Singida Region. The study objectives were to; assess the effects of COVID-19 outbreak on students’ education in secondary schools and determine the intervening measures to the effects of COVID-19 outbreak on students’ education in secondary schools in Singida Region. The study adopted descriptive survey design. The sample size of 5 school heads purposively sampled, 45 teachers and 80students selected by simple and stratified random sampling techniques from private and public secondary schools were involved in the study. Questionnaire, interview guide and observation checklist were used for data collection. Research experts evaluated the instruments to determine content validity. Credibility of qualitative data was ascertained by involving multiple analysis. Dependability was established through detailed reporting of the research process. Reliability (QT at r = 0.85 and QS at r = 0.85) of the questionnaires were tested in pilot study and found using Cronbach alpha coefficient. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics in the SPSS version 22 and results were presented in tables of frequencies and percentages. Qualitative data was analyzed alongside research questions. The study revealed that inadequate syllabus coverage, failure to cover topics in time and increase of studying hours after re-opening the school were the effects of COVID-19 outbreak on students’ education in secondary schools. The study recommended academic programmes that can be accessed by students both in urban and rural areas during pandemics.