Dissertation (MA Education)
The purpose of this study was to investigate the problems facing students in learning
chemistry subject in community secondary schools in Kiteto district, in Tanzania. In
this study mixed research approach was employed in exploring and analyzing the
data. The study was guided by two theories namely, Constructivism Theory of
Learning and Hierarchy of needs Theory. The study involved 79 respondents (64
students, 6 chemistry teachers, 4 academic teachers, 4 head of schools and 1 District
Secondary Education Officer (DSEO) who was selected using mixed procedures.
Data were collected through questionnaire, interview, documentary review,
observation and analyzed by applying SPSS version 23. Findings from the study
revealed that, trend of students enrolment in chemistry subject in selected
community secondary schools was not stable due to the presences of various
problems facing students in learning chemistry subject include: shortage of
qualified chemistry teachers, insufficient teaching and learning materials and
students‟ negative attitudes toward learning chemistry subject. The study concluded
that employing qualified chemistry teachers, providing sufficient teaching and
learning materials and using different teaching methods in teaching most difficult
chemistry topics can be the strategies to be used to address the problems facing
students‟ in learning chemistry subject. Moreover, the study recommends the
government to revise the policy allowing students to drop chemistry subject at upper
secondary schools, initiate special programs to increase enrolment of students in
chemistry professional development and pay better salaries and teaching allowances
to chemistry teachers.