Abstract:
After the implementation of free education policy in Tanzania studies to examine its
impact were conducted. From these studies, however, have scarcely looked into the
contribution of free primary education to rural livelihood in Mvomero District.
This study sought to assess the contribution of free primary education to rural livelihood
in Mvomero District. The study was guided by three objectives which were to examine
the extent to which free primary education is free, to assess rural parent`s perceptions of
relief from financial burden following the abolition of fee and other mandatory
contributions and to determine contribution of the free primary education to rural
livelihood in Mvomero District. The study used a sample of 100 respondents. Interviews,
Focus-group Discussions and document review were used to collect data. Descriptive
statistics and paired samples t-test were used during data analysis. Key findings showed
that 80% of the parents claimed that primary education is free education as tuition fee and
mandatory contributions have been removed. Furthermore, the findings show that 88% of
the parents felt relieved from financial burden associated with tuition fee, extra studies,
building contribution, electricity, registration and watchman. Unfortunately the findings
did not indicate that parents had relief of burden on the cost of food and water. Likewise
the findings revealed that livelihood of parents were improved in reducing conflicts
among parents (Mother and Father), good relationship between teachers and parents.
Based on these results, it is concluded that, free primary education has remarkable
contribution to rural livelihood in Tanzania. The study however recommends that free
primary educations should be promoted, restructured and improved to fulfill society
livelihood.
