Improving the Quality of Basic Education Through the Use of Gender-sensitive Student Councils: Experience of Six Selected Districts in Tanzania

Authors

  • Godfrey Magoti Mnubi Institute of Adult Education

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56059/jl4d.v4i2.198

Keywords:

Key word, Quality education, Gender-sensitive student council, School leadership and governance

Abstract

This paper analyses whether the gender-sensitive and democratically elected student councils helped in strengthening school leadership and providing a platform for increased awareness and advocacy for male and female students to address their needs and rights in primary and secondary schools in Tanzania. The data was collected through qualitative methodology using in-depth interviews with purposively selected 29 school heads, 35 mentor teachers, 24 champions and 54 student leaders. Other data were obtained from focus-group discussions with 590 student leaders. The findings show that the student council plays a major role in strengthening school leadership and increasing the ability of students, particularly girls, to voice their needs and concerns. Some students’ needs and concerns were sexual harassment, the right to quality education and health services and the elimination of corporal punishment. The use of student councils helps to improve the delivery of quality education in schools.

Author Biography

Godfrey Magoti Mnubi, Institute of Adult Education

Dr. Godfrey Magoti Mnubi is currently a lecturer at the Institute of Adult Education. He earned his doctorate degree in Educational Foundations and Research from the University of North Dakota-USA, Masters’ degree in Global Justice and Social Responsibility from Saint Cloud State University and Bachelor Degree in Business Administration (Marketing) from Mzumbe University-Tanzania. Previously he held a position as the National Programme Officer for Education Sector at the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)-Dar es Salaam.

References

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Published

2017-06-13

How to Cite

Mnubi, G. M. (2017). Improving the Quality of Basic Education Through the Use of Gender-sensitive Student Councils: Experience of Six Selected Districts in Tanzania. Journal of Learning for Development, 4(2). https://doi.org/10.56059/jl4d.v4i2.198

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 2 (2017): ISSUE 2

Section

Research Articles

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Received 2017-03-06
Accepted 2017-04-05
Published 2017-06-13