Joyce Nemes , Enedy Mlaki , Fabian Flora
Senior Lecturers Department of Educational Management and Policy Studies,
the University of Dodoma, Tanzania ; Professor Department of Biomedical
Science, the University of Dodoma, Tanzania3
joycenemes12@gmail.com
Date Received: January 30, 2019; Date Revised: April 16, 2019
Effect of Income Generating Activities on Primary School Pupils’ Attendance and Academic Performance 820 KB 1 downloads
Joyce Nemes , Enedy Mlaki , Fabian Flora Senior Lecturers Department of Educational...
The study examined the effect of Income Generating Activities (IGAs) on primary school pupils’ attendance and academic performance in Rombo district of Tanzania. Using both quantitative and qualitative approaches to data collection and analysis, the study found that 132 (83%) of the pupil respondents were engaged in IGAs mainly in farming activities in the border area. They used the money to buy school uniforms and other school essentials. Excessive alcohol drinking among parents, especially fathers while neglecting their family responsibilities contributed to pupils’ engagement in IGAs. The study found that 26 (16.4%) of the pupils were engaged in IGAs during school hours and 32 (20.1%) during school days and weekends. Overall, there is a negative correlation between pupils’ engagement in IGA and their school attendance. Moreover, the study found that pupils engaged in IGAs had below average academic performance compared to their non-IGA counterparts. As such, the study recommends empowering women who are bread-earners of the family to reduce their dependence on their children’s engagement in IGA for support in addition to enacting by-law to punish irresponsible parents.
Keywords – Income Generating Activities, School Attendance, and Academic Performance