Impact of Fee-Free Basic Education on Student Retention Rates in Tanzania: A Comprehensive Evaluation

Abstract

This study examined the extent to which the implementation of the Fee-Free Basic Education Policy (FBEP) between 2016 and 2020 influenced student retention in lower secondary schools. A mixed-methods approach was employed, integrating qualitative and quantitative data collected from eight secondary schools in the Dar es Salaam and Pwani regions. Primary data were gathered through key informant interviews and triangulated with secondary data obtained from documentary reviews. The findings reveal that, by 2020, dropout rates remained relatively high and had not declined significantly following the introduction of the FBEP. The study concludes that removing tuition fees alone is insufficient to improve student retention in Tanzania’s basic education system and underscores the need to address additional factors, including household poverty, cultural practices, and the quality of education.