Authors : Florence Nhumbi; Dr. Kassim Kimweri; Dr. Flora Kiwonde

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 10 - October

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/2m2s48fz

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26Oct346

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.

Abstract : This study examined the extent of school committee members’ participation in project planning activities in public primary schools in Bariadi Town Council, Tanzania. The study was guided by Decentralisation Theory, as articulated by Rondinelli (1981). The study employed a convergent design within a mixed-methods research approach. The study’s target population comprised 402 participants, including 350 school committee members, 50 head teachers, one Town Pre and Primary Education Officer, and one District School Quality Assurance Officer from 50 public primary schools. The study used stratified random sampling, simple random sampling, and purposive sampling to select 122 respondents, comprising 105 school committee members, 15 head teachers, one Town Pre and Primary Education Officer, and one District School Quality Assurance Officer. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and semi-structured interview guides. Cronbach’s Alpha Coefficient was used to assess the reliability of Likert-scale items in the questionnaire, while triangulation was employed to enhance the trustworthiness of qualitative data. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse quantitative data, while thematic analysis was applied to qualitative data. The findings indicated that school committee members participated in project planning activities to a low extent. The quantitative findings were reflected in limited participation in project meetings, contribution of ideas, monitoring of project progress, and provision of support when challenges arose. Qualitative findings further indicated that school committee members were not consistently involved in key project planning and decision-making activities. The study concluded that school committee members had limited participation in project planning activities in public primary schools in Bariadi Town Council. It was recommended that the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and Local Government Authorities should strengthen implementation of guidelines for school committees by ensuring their active involvement in project planning, including participation in meetings, identifying priorities, contributing ideas, accessing project information, and participating in project-related decision-making.

Keywords : School Committees, School Projects, Project Management, Decentralisation, Public Primary Schools, Bariadi Town Council.

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