Factors leading to the low parental contribution to school fund in North “A” District – Zanzibar

The study was to identify factors leading to low parental contribution to school fund in North “A” District- Zanzibar. Specifically, it was to find out if parental income affects parental contribution to school fund. To examine parental perception towards fees contribution whether affects their contribution to school fund. To find out if parental involvement in the school budgeting process affects parental contribution to school fund, and to find out if the announcement ‘free education’ policy (Elimu Bila malipo) affects parental contribution to school fund. The study was conducted in North ‘A’ District – Zanzibar, whereby eight governmental schools were involved in the study. The study adopted a survey research design, which employed both qualitative and quantitative techniques in data collection. The study revealed that, parental income affects parental contribution to school fund. The results showed that many parents either did not contribute all or contributed little because of their low income. The study also found that majority of parents was not satisfied with the system of contributing fees to schools though their dissatisfaction did not affect their contribution to school fund. Furthermore, the study found that parents were not involved in the school budgeting process, but this also does not affect their contributions to school fund. The study also found that, the announcement ‘education is free’ by the government did not cause low parental contribution to school fund. However, the study further found that some parents considered the school contribution as not compulsory, and therefore they were not obligated to contribute. The study recommended that government should provide support to parents to improve their economic activities, especially farming and fishing to increase their income. It also recommended that more education should be provided to reduce misconceptions towards fund contribution among many parents