Role of Hostel Accommodation in Reducing Student School Dropout in Ward Secondary Schools in Mvomero District Council, Tanzania

The present study is about the importance of hostel facilities in decreasing the dropout of students in ward secondary schools of Mvomero District Council, Tanzania. A mixed-methods approach was used in this study, with the guidance of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Theory and the Input, Output Model, the data was gathered from the students using structured questionnaires, and from key informants (Head of Schools, academic masters/mistresses, and patrons/matrons through direct interviews). We analysed the quantitative data using SPSS version 20 (frequencies, percentages, and means), and analysed the qualitative data thematically. The findings showed that hostel accommodation significantly reduces dropout, whereby regular attendance is improved, minimising lateness; travel-related fatigue, additional study time; peer academic support, and supervision from teachers, whereby a large number of students agreed that hostel reduces challenges of dropping out. Nevertheless, financial limitations in the form of delayed parental contributions, overcrowding, lack of water supply, and poor security were limiting the full effectiveness of hostel facilities. This study concludes that adequate and well-managed hostel accommodation is a vital educational input in supporting student retention and completion. It is recommended that there should be an increase in government investments in construction and maintenance of hostels, development of national accommodation standards, enhancement of cooperation from parents, and improvement of management practices in hostels.