Factors Affecting Students’ Academic Perfomance in Development Studies in Selected Higher Institutions Of Learning In Tanzania

ABSTRACT This study examined the factors affecting students’ performance in selected Tanzanian Higher Learning Institutions specifically the State University of Zanzibar and the Institute of Finance Management. Different methods were used in collecting the data including literature review, interviews and questionnaires. The data were analysed by the use of statistical package for social sciences (SPSS). The analysed data are presented in the form of descriptions, histograms, tables and figures. The study showed that most of the respondents (about 90 percent) agreed that there were several problems that affected students’ performance in development studies though their views differed depending upon their institution. Factors which influenced poor performance in Development studies in Higher Learning Institution included economic background of the learners, poor methods of teaching, poor knowledge of the learners concerning development studies (awareness), teachers’ knowledge and competence (mastering the discipline), teachers commitment, poor teaching and materials and modern tools, poor teaching environment, students efforts and commitment in studies, poor governmental and institutional support and many others. All of them were reckoned as the major constraints retarding the student’s performai~ce in Development studies in the selected higher learning institutions. The study recommended that the government should place equal status to Development Studies like other subjects in the in University curriculum. Again, government financial supports for the department of development studies by providing adequate subsidy. This, in turn, will go along way in preparing a good environment for the learners the learning, thus helping the learners to socialize life, as it was supported by Jean Dewey in learning by doing in wivw. bgsu. edu/departlnent/acs/1890/dewey