Influence of Teaching and Learning Resources on Students’ Academic Performance in Public Secondary Schools in Arusha District Council, Tanzania

Wema David Somba
Dr. Kennedy Omondi Otieno
St. Augustine University of Tanzania, Arusha
Email: sombawema18@gmail.com

Abstract: This study determined the availability of Teaching and Learning Resources (TLR) in public secondary schools and assessed the adequacy of TLR and its influence on students’ performance in public secondary schools in Arusha District Council. The study adopted a convergent parallel research design and mixed methods research approach to gather data. The sample size included 1 District Educational Officer, 7 Ward Educational Coordinators, 7 Heads of the schools, 28 teachers and 100 form four students from public secondary schools in Arusha District Council. Questionnaires and interview guide were used for data collection. The University experts evaluated the instruments to determine content validity. Reliability of the questionnaires were tested in pilot study and Cronbach Alpha Coefficient was found to correlate at r = 0.85for QHS, QT and QS. Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics in the SPSS and results were presented in tables of frequencies and percentages. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically with respect to research questions. The study finding reveals adequate teachers, classrooms, textbooks, libraries, laboratories, classrooms and desks as teaching and learning resources that influence students’ academic performance in examinations. Furthermore, on adequacy of teaching and learning resources, the study found that, most schools are faced with challenges such as inadequate human, financial as well as time resources. Similarly, inadequate material resources such as classrooms and books due to over enrolment which can be solved by support from Government of Tanzania and educational stakeholders in order to improve academic performance of students. The study recommends that Government, NGOs and educational stakeholders should support the provision of teaching and learning facilities to improve academic performance of students. Teachers are encouraged to implement curriculum using available teaching and learning resources in order to improve performance in national examinations.