RUAHA CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY

This paper aimed at identifying the challenges which interfere the external schools‟ quality assurance in maintaining the schools‟ performance in Tanzania. The study employed mixed research approach where data were collected by using questionnaires, interviews and documentary reviews. The findings identified the challenges such as frequent curriculum changes, insufficient funds, lack of training for external quality assurers, the working conditions of external quality assurers, external quality assurers‟ visit and the shortage of external quality assurers. The study concluded that external quality assurance is a critical and congenial process in which quality assurance cannot manage on itself without support and cooperation from other stakeholder like; students, teachers and other leaders/administrators, policy makers as well as academicians. It is recommended that the government should provide schools with enough funds, resources and infrastructure in order to improve teaching and learning environment which will lead to the promotion of schools‟ performance hence quality of education. The authority should put clear quality assurance department by giving external schools‟ quality assurance position and opportunity to teachers who undergone the special course or training on schools‟ quality assurance.

Education, Quality Assurance, Standard Education, Teaching and Learning Process and School Performance