When Cultures Clash: The Challenges and Prospects of Pastoralist Human Resource Development Through Secondary Education in Longido District, Tanzania

The study assessment of the human resource development through secondary school education in pastoralist communities in Longido district, Arusha region. Questionnaire, interview and Focus Group Discussion were used to collect data from 96 respondents. The information obtained was then analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) and qualitative information was analyzed using content analysis. The study findings indicate that, formal education in Maasai communities is received at the low rate due to the mismatch between what is offered in school and what are the actual needs of the Maasai communities. Because of this mismatch, most of Maasai children drop out of school. Moreover, findings indicate that formal education would be useful if it provides the community with the knowledge and skills specifically for solving day-to-day pastoral economic activities so as to improve their living standards. The study concludes that, in order to increase Maasai to access and persist in secondary education, and to really develop their capacities there is a need to deliberate affirmative action by the government to re-think curriculum for secondary education for Maasai that will enable them develop capacities in solving their day to day pastoralist activities. Further study should focus on gender in the development of human resource among the Maasai girls though secondary education