Authors: Lilian Oneye and Daniel Onyango, PhD (Saint Augustine University of Tanzania)
Abstract: The study sought to determine the perception of school stakeholders on the effect of school- home distance on students’ academic performance among community secondary schools in Rorya District, Tanzania. The study employed a convergent survey design under the mixed research approach. The sample for this study was 100 respondents out of the population of 21,894 stakeholders, but only 87 responded. Quantitative data were collected through a questionnaire while qualitative data were collected through the interview. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics while qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis. The study concludes that long distance travelled by students reduces teacher- students contact time, leads to stomach ulcers, headaches and related issues which reduce school attendance and completion rates. The researchers recommended that community, government authorities and other stakeholders should make plans to build school dormitories or hostels to reduce the adverse effects of school –home distance.