TEACHERS' PERCEPTIONS OF SCHOOL MANAGEMENT'S ROLE IN SUPPORTING CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN MBEYA CITY COUNCIL, TANZANIA

Abstract: This study explored teachers’ perceptions of school management’s role in supporting primary school teachers’ Continuous Professional Development (TCPD) in Mbeya City Council, Tanzania. Guided by Transformational Leadership Theory, the study adopted a qualitative research approach with a phenomenological design to explore teachers' lived experiences and insights. A total of 20 participants, 15 teachers and 5 head teachers were purposely selected from five primary schools. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and documentary reviews of key policy frameworks, including the National TCPD Framework and MEWAKA reports. Thematic analysis, facilitated by MAXQDA software, was employed to analyse the data. Findings revealed that school management plays a crucial but inconsistent role in facilitating TCPD. While some supportive practices, such as informal mentorship and occasional collaboration with external organisations, were evident. Challenges, including inadequate training resources, limited funding, a lack of skilled facilitators, weak coordination mechanisms, and limited teacher motivation due to insufficient incentives, significantly restricted the successive implementation of CPD. The study concludes that while school management acknowledges the importance of TCPD, support is fragmented and underdeveloped. It highlights the need for stronger leadership, better resource allocation, and structured collaboration to improve implementation. These recommendations aim to enhance teacher professional growth and ultimately improve educational quality in Tanzania. Keywords: Continuous Professional Development, Educational Quality, Primary School, School Management and Teachers. Title: TEACHERS' PERCEPTIONS OF SCHOOL MANAGEMENT'S ROLE IN SUPPORTING CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN MBEYA CITY COUNCIL, TANZANIA Author: Juma Jacob International Journal of Novel Research in Education and Learning ISSN 2394-9686 Vol. 12, Issue 6, November 2025 - December 2025 Page No: 6-13 Novelty Journals Website: www.noveltyjournals.com Published Date: 10-November-2025 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17570711 Paper Download Link (Source) https://www.noveltyjournals.com/upload/paper/TEACHERS'%20PERCEPTIONS%20OF%20SCHOOL-10112025-5.pdf