IMPACT OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEM ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

IMPACT OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEM ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS
 
ABSTRACT
This study examined the impact of public transport system on the academic performance of Primary School Student in Dar es Salaam. Specifically, the study was aimed at assessing the current system of public transport used by students in the city of Dar es Salaam, to examine the impact of public transport irregular schedule on the academic performance of primary school students, and to examine coping strategies that are used by primary school students to deal with challenging public transport system in the city of Dar es Salaam. The study was carried out in Temeke district involving three primary schools where 45 students and 9 teachers participated in the study. Data from students were collected through self-administered questionnaires.  From teachers, data were collected through interviews guided by interview questions that were administered by the researcher. Findings revealed that the current system of public transport is mainly managed by the private sector. It is partly regulated by the government especially on the routes they serve. It is also used by most students to travel to school within the city. But the private buses have no fixed known time schedule in providing transport services in the city. It was learned from the study that students who use public transport arrive to school late when the first classes have started. They also fail to get enough time to do homework or revise at home because of limited time. Their time for homework and private studies is spent on the way struggling to board the public buses. The study recommends that the government should make a close follow up to regulate the services provided by private bus owners especially on handling students who use these buses.