An analysis of challenges facing folk development colleges in the Southern Highlands Zone, Tanzania

Abstract

This study examined the challenges which faced the development of FDCs in the Southern Highland Zone of Tanzania. It was inspired by the fact that FDCs’ development was moving backward and the challenges were less known. The study specifically identified the causes of the challenges facing FDCs, found out how the challenges facing FDCs in the southern highlands zone of Tanzania could be addressed, and explored measures for strengthening FDCs. The study used a cross-sectional research design with a sample of 36 respondents who were selected though convenience and purposive sampling techniques. Data were collected by using questionnaires, interviews, and documentary review methods. They were analyzed by using SPSS and Microsoft Word for text processing and editing. The study shows that inadequate facilities, poor infrastructure, shortage of qualified personnel, inadequate technological tools, and community’ negative attitude were the challenges which affected FDCs in the study areas. The effects of those challenges were lack of qualified teachers, poor teaching, drop outs, students’ poor performance, students’ failure, unwillingness to teach, teachers’ resignation, and hence bad reputation of FDCs. Measures such as enough budget allocation for FDCs, employing adequate qualified personnel, increasing facilities, involving stakeholders in planning, were proposed. There was also a need to strengthen FDCs through involving development partners, conducting fundraising activities, staff capacity building. Relevant recommendations are made.