Hemedi, Asha Saidi2019-04-162019-04-162017Hemedi, A. S. (2017). Challenges facing community secondary schools and their influence on girls’ access to secondary education in Tanzania: a case of Dodoma municipality. Dodoma: The University of Dodomahttp://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12661/604Dissertation (Master in Public Administration)This study examined the challenges facing community secondary school and their influence on girls’ access to education in Dodoma Municipality. Specifically, it assessed the state of the domestic side of school life in community secondary schools. Data were gathered from four selected community secondary schools. The study used descriptive research design with a qualitative approach and quantitative (mixed) approach. Furthermore, the study applied four methods which were interview, questionnaires, survey, focus group discussions and documentary analysis. Both closed and open-ended questionnaires together with interview guides were employed during data collection. The study used both purposive and random sampling techniques were used in this study. The study reveals that most of the community secondary schools have no trained and employed matrons. Those who act as matrons are only appointed by the heads of the schools from among the available female teachers to take matrons’ responsibilities. The study revealed that hostels and sanitary facilities like water, soap, pads for female students play a crucial role in improving their academic performance. The influence of matron and female teachers was found very crucial on girls’ access to education. The study revealed that social practices have been affecting girls’ access to secondary education. The findings have shown that female students are overloaded by domestic activities which consequently affect their academic performance. The timetabling both at home and school settings have been observed not user-friendly to female students and hence they are affected academically. The study recommends for the employment of matrons, supply of the user-friendly sanitary facilities to female students, adequate allocation of the education budget and infrastructural development to meet the demands of female students at the community secondary schools. Furthermore, the social practices that undermine female children should be abandoned in the current society if we are to achieve sustainable development.enDodomaSecondary educationCommunity schoolsAcademic performanceEducational institutionsGirls' educationCommunity secondary schoolEducationDissertation