Reasons behind Long Commute Distances on Students’ Attendance and Academic Performance in Mwanza City, Tanzania

The academic performance of the students is crucial and stands as an indicator of the school's development. Most public schools, especially mushrooming ward secondary schools, are influenced by long commuting distances. The study aimed to explore the influence of long Commute Distances on Students’ attendance and academic performance in Mwanza City. The study applied a convergent parallel research design and questionnaire and interview guide. The data collected through questionnaires were analyzed by using SPSS Version 23 and interview data were thematically analyzed. The findings revealed that long commuting distances negatively affect students' academic performance, limiting their study time and exposing them to potential challenges. The study recommends that the government and other education stakeholders should implement policies and programs that address barriers to education, such as providing scholarships, transportation assistance, and resources for students in marginalized areas.