Adequacy of Laboratory Facilities for Effective Implementation of Competence-Based Curriculum in Public Secondary Schools in Arumeru District, Tanzania

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to find out the extent to which implementation of competence based curriculum (CBC) is adequately supported by laboratory facilities in public secondary schools in Arumeru District in Tanzania. Convergent parallel mixed method design was applied in the study. The study sampled 111 teachers, 177 students, 9 head of schools and 9 academic masters/mistresses making a total sample size of 306 respondents. Stratified-random sampling technique was used to select students and teachers whereas a purposive sampling technique was used to select heads of schools and academic masters/mistresses. Data were collected using questionnaires, interview guide, observation checklist and focus group discussion (FGD) guide. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. The study established that, laboratory facilities were not adequate in the schools hence it was concluded that, the competence-based curriculum is not effectively implemented in the studied schools due to shortage of laboratory facilities. It was therefore recommended that the government in collaboration with other educational stakeholders should establish the required laboratory facilities for effective implementation of the competence- based in the schools.