Dissertation (MA Education)
The purpose of this study was to investigate students' engagement in Income
Generating Activities and their impacts on academic performance in community
secondary school students in Mbozi District in Mbeya Region. The study was
mainly qualitative involving a cross sectional survey, supported by some elements of
quantitative data. It used purposive and stratified random sampling procedures to
obtain 139 respondents. Data were gathered through interviews and questionnaires,
and were analyzed using descriptive statistics appropriate for responding to research
questions
The findings of the study identified factors influencing students to engage in IGAs
were family related factors; government related factors; lack of hostels and school
feeding programme. Other factors are social related such as lack of awareness of
parents and guardians on the adverse effect of students engaging in IGAs. A number
of types of IGAs were identified as petty business, casual labourers, family and
personal projects. The study also established effects for students‟ engagement in
IGAs as poor academic performance, dropout, truancy or absenteeism, risk of
pregnancy and tiredness.
Recommendations for minimizing the prevalence of students' engagement in IGAs
were educating parents, guardians and students, eliminating school fees and other
mandatory costs, introduction of school feeding, building hostels and community to
set bylaws. It was recommended that a similar study be carried nationwide in
community secondary schools with a larger sample so as to make a generalization of
the findings.