Challenges Facing Community Participation in Construction Projects of Ward Secondary Schools in Kibaha Town Council, Tanzania

Aims: This study aimed on investigating the challenges facing community participation in construction projects of ward secondary schools in Kibaha Town Council in Tanzania. Specifically, the study aimed to examine social challenges, economic challenges and institutional challenges facing community participation in construction projects of ward secondary schools.

Materials and Methods: The study adopted cross-sectional study design as both open and ended questioners were used to collect primary information from a sample size of 99 respondents and 21 key informants. Sampling technique used were purposive and simple random sampling. Interview and questionnaire were used to collect information from the key informants and community members. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPPS V.25 and qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results: The findings from the study revealed that low knowledge among communities on the importance of participating in schools; household poverty and limited capability of secondary school leaders to encourage and organize communities are the challenges facing community participation in construction projects of ward secondary schools.

Conclusion: The study recommends that, community should be subjected to both formal and non-formal education so as to occupy knowledge on the importance of participating in schools construction project. The study also recommends that, community should not use household poverty as a reason for them to fail to participate in schools; they may participate through provision of labor and other related activities alternative to financial contribution. In additional leaders are also advised to expand their skills in organizing and encouraging community to participate in ward secondary schools construction projects.