This study examined the challenges which faced the development of FDCs in the
Southern Highland Zone of Tanzania. It was inspired by the fact that FDCs’
development was moving backward and the challenges were less known. The study
specifically identified the causes of the challenges facing FDCs, found out how the
challenges facing FDCs in the southern highlands zone of Tanzania could be addressed,
and explored measures for strengthening FDCs.
The study used a cross-sectional research design with a sample of 36 respondents who
were selected though convenience and purposive sampling techniques. Data were
collected by using questionnaires, interviews, and documentary review methods. They
were analyzed by using SPSS and Microsoft Word for text processing and editing.
The study shows that inadequate facilities, poor infrastructure, shortage of qualified
personnel, inadequate technological tools, and community’ negative attitude were the
challenges which affected FDCs in the study areas. The effects of those challenges were
lack of qualified teachers, poor teaching, drop outs, students’ poor performance,
students’ failure, unwillingness to teach, teachers’ resignation, and hence bad reputation
of FDCs. Measures such as enough budget allocation for FDCs, employing adequate
qualified personnel, increasing facilities, involving stakeholders in planning, were
proposed. There was also a need to strengthen FDCs through involving development
partners, conducting fundraising activities, staff capacity building. Relevant
recommendations are made.