Assessment of Teachers Absenteeism on Pupils Learning in Public Primary Schools in Longido District.

The study aimed at assessing the effects of teachers’ absenteeism on pupils’ academic performance in primary schools in Longido District. Specifically, the study aimed, to identify the status and causes of absenteeism among primary school teachers in Longido district, to examine the extent to which teachers’ absenteeism affect syllabus coverage in primary schools in Longido District, to asses on how teachers’ absenteeism affects pupils’ academic performance in primary schools in Longido District, and to identify good practices that may help to reduce teacher absenteeism in primary schools in Longido District. The study employed mixed research approach, using causal comparative as the research design. Data were collected using questionnaire administered to 40 teachers’; Interview was conducted to 8 heads teachers, 5 WEO’s, 1 DEO and 1 Head of TSC. Documents on absenteeism were obtained from eight selected primary schools. Using Statistical Package analyzed the study for Social Sciences, descriptive statistics as well as qualitative means of analyzing data. The results have noted that some teachers’ attend to school but do not teach in classes, 95% of teachers who are always absent do not complete their syllabus, hence denies pupils right to cover primary school curricula. 97% of all respondents agreed that teachers’ absenteeism is direct related to poor academic performance of pupils in primary schools. Lastly, the study recommends that, teachers should highly be motivated. Moreover, in view of the findings, introducing of biometric attendance register may be a solution to reduce absenteeism, thus making them available to improve pupils’ academic performance. Keywords: Teachers Absenteeism, Pupils Learning, Public Primary Schools, Longido Distric