Description:
The main purpose of this study was to assess the impact of large school enrolment rates upon strengthening public primary education level. The study was carried out in Mwanza City. A sample size of 384 respondents was included. 364 of them being pupils, 10 head teachers, 8 teachers and 2 city education officers. This study used cross sectional survey design and quasi experimental design. Both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection and analysis were used including questionnaires, guided- interview, classroom observation schedule and documentary review. The main findings of this study were insufficient teaching and learning facilities, lack of space and play grounds, Unawareness of simple project assignment and individualized instruction as complementary teaching methods, inapplicability of subject clubs and peer-coaching training as well as a pool of pushed pupils, who were pupils selected to join form one in the year 2013 below the set national pass mark. It was found out that 33.1% of pupils who passed examinations fell in this category. This study concluded that unless there were some efforts to supply more resources in schools and improve teaching methods, strengthening of public primary education could be doubtful. Ministry of education should not evaluate pupils in Primary School Leaving Examinations with double standards. In order to cope with such problems the study recommended that the set school sizes should be maintained whereby 945 pupils to be accommodated in large schools. Teachers should encourage group discussions, the art of asking questions among pupils, engage pupils to learn by doing. The aim should be to equip pupils with knowledge, skills, develop thinking capacity, reflective mind and the ability to analyze issues.