The effects of early marriage practices on education for girls in Mkuranga District, Tanzania

This study investigated the effects of the early marriage practices on the education for girls at Mkuranga district in Tanzania. Specifically the study sought to investigate the magnitude of early marriages, to establish its effects on girls’ education, and to identify strategies used to prevent early marriages in Mkuranga District. The study was conducted in Mkuranga district in coastal region. Data were collected from three wards: Mkuranga, Kimazichana and Mkamba from which three primary schools were involved. The design used was cross-section survey design, which collected both qualitative and quantitative data. A sample for this study was drawn from four groups of the population; namely the District Education Officer, Ward Education Coordinators, Primary School teachers and pupils. Data were collected from a sample of 246 respondents including 1 District Education Officer, 3 Ward Education Coordinators, 188 Primary School Teachers and 54 Primary School Pupils. Data were collected using the questionnaire, interview, focus group discussions and documentary review methods. Data collected were analysed by using Special Package for Social Science (SPSS) and presented in frequencies,percentages, means and standard deviations while qualitative data were subjected to content analysis. The findings revealed that an early marriage in Mkuranga District is rampant. The finding further revealed that early marriages in Mkuranga District are caused by many factors one of them is low level of education among the community members. School drop out was reported to be the leading effect of early marriages in the area of study. The study also reported that there are efforts made to combat early in the area despite of a number of challenges. Different stakeholders have to work together in making sure that this practice is ended. The study concludes that early marriage is a real problem in Mkuranga district. Further studies were recommended to deal with the challenges that hinder the efforts against early marriage practices in the area