Unseen barriers: Types and magnitudes of academic adversities facing at-risk secondary school students in Tanzania

Academic adversities faced by at-risk students hinder their academic progress and impede national development. This paper investigates the types and magnitude of these adversities in the Tanzanian context. While some at-risk students manage to overcome challenges, many do not. Previous studies have identified various adversities but have paid little attention to the magnitude of the impact of adversities on at-risk students. Using a retrospective cross-sectional design, quantitative data were collected from 384 at-risk students across three universities through structured questionnaires, supplemented by qualitative data from interviews and focus groups. The study identified three major types of adversities: home (8.1 scores), school (5.3 scores), and community (2.0 scores). The findings indicate that both the types and magnitude of adversities vary based on individual circumstances and environmental factors. Understanding these adversities can inform effective interventions, ultimately enhancing academic success and contributing to the country's development