Strategies for Managing Truancy and Dropout Rates in Secondary Schools: A Study in Temeke Municipality, Tanzania

Abstract Truancy and dropout rates pose significant challenges to secondary education globally, with severe implications for educational equity and outcomes. This study investigates the causes, impacts, and management strategies for truancy in secondary schools within Temeke Municipality, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from 336 respondents, including students, teachers, parents, school heads, and local government officials. Findings reveal socioeconomic hardships, poor school environments, and inadequate parental involvement as primary contributors to truancy. The study underscores effective strategies such as school attendance monitoring, positive discipline, and fostering collaboration between schools and communities. Recommendations include infrastructure improvement, capacity-building for teachers, and enhanced stakeholder engagement to address systemic issues and promote student retention.