A Study Of The Practices Involved To Support Street Children To Access Primary Education In Kigoma Municipality, Tanzania

ABSTRACT

There have been commendable initiatives implemented by community and government agencies to support quality life for children in Kigoma Region. However, there is lack of information on initiatives particularly in Kigoma Municipality supporting children to access primary education [PE]. This study was designed to establish the on-going practices in Kigoma Municipality and their support to street children [SC] in accessing PE. The study was guided by three specific research objectives which were approached through mixed research undertaken through cross-sectional design. A total of 32 respondents (3 CDO, 5 SC, 17 SCCG and 7 SCCM) were involved using probability and purposive sampling techniques. Data were collected through questionnaires, interviews and documentary analysis and were analysed through thematic analysis and SPSS version 20. The study findings show that, SC were provided with shelter, clothes and food as basic needs to support their access to PE. It also revealed that service providers were challenged with limited resources, difficulties for the SC to cope with new life, and robbery among SC in centres. Lastly, the study established that community provision of child‟s rights including education was a necessary measure for assisting SC to access PE. The study recommended government and non-governmental institutions, and practitioners involved with SC to enforce children‟s laws and implementing different projects for supporting SC to potentially benefit from education and other rights for their well-being. Importantly, guidance and counseling services were recommended for the family members to positively participate in sustaining children‟s rights to education and life in general. It further recommends some areas for further research.