RUAHA CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY

This article focus on assessing challenges facing stakeholders in implementing fee free secondary education in Iringa municipality. The study employed purposive sampling and probability sampling to identify the respondents who were the parents, teachers, head teachers and the officers from the education department of the Iringa Municipal council. Data was collected through interviews, questionnaires and literature review of government documents regarding fee free education policy in Tanzania. Qualitative and quantitative data were analyzed using a mixed method which allowed the use of triangulation and guaranteed reliability and validity of the data collection tools. Findings from this study show that increased in teaching load, shortage and delays of capitation fund, diminished parent cooperation with school, decrease in the quality of education and high number of enrolment. Findings further reveal information gap between the government and the public on the practicability of the fee free education policy in ward secondary schools in Iringa municipality. The study has recommended for awareness creation to the public on the practicability of fee free education so as to avoid the misunderstandings before the government and the public on how fee free education works.

Education, Fee Free Education, Policy, Stakeholders and Challenges.