Financial Obligations in the Implementation of Free Fee Primary and Secondary Schools Education in Arusha District Council – Tanzania

The government of the United Republic of Tanzania in early 2014 introduced offering primary and secondary schools education without school fees. The main objective of this study was to find out if the government grants to enhance free fee education in public primary and secondary schools in Arusha District Council were used efficiently. The first specific objective was to find out if the head teachers/headmasters draw up budgets for their schools according to priorities of the school needs, the second specific objective was to ensure competency on financial management in public schools; and the third specific objective was to find out if monitoring and controlling of the institutions budget was carried out by head of public schools in collaboration with stakeholders. The findings have shown that the government grants for free fee education were appreciated. It was discovered a shortage of teachers with financial accounting qualifications at the targeted schools which raises a concern to look out how to fill the gap by employing the qualified ones. Short term seminars or workshops were doubted if they could make someone competent in handling school finances. Stakeholders were involved in schools budget preparation and support. Key words: Government grants, free fee education, budgets, monitoring and controlling of the institutions budget. DOI: 10.7176/JEP/11-9-24 Publication date: March 31 st 2020