The Impact of Ward Education Officers on Improving Primary School Students’ Academic Performance in Lushoto, Tanzania

The study explored the impact of Ward Education Officers on improving primary school students’ academic performance in Lushoto District in Tanzania. A qualitative research approach based on a case study design was employed. Three categories of respondents namely, One District primary education officer, four ward education officers and five heads of schools were interviewed. The respondents were purposively selected from five wards in the respective District. The obtained content based analyzed data revealed that WEOs perform several tasks including conducting regular school visits to inspect documents; compile, verify and submit education statistics to high authorities; manage released school finance; provide administrative assistance to heads of schools; help to solve indiscipline cases; and mobilize parents to take their responsibilities. All tasks performed have impacts on students’ academic performance. On contrary, the study found that WEOs fail to achieve their targets due to lack of enough funds for their daily tasks, uncommitted heads of schools, environmental challenges, political influences and interferences of the working timetable by high authorities. The study recommends the government to review the tasks of WEOs and diminish the challenges encountered by WEOs for improved students’ academic performance.