Assessing the Barriers to Secondary Schools' Infrastructure Construction: A Case of Mtwara Region, Tanzania

Abstract

This research evaluated the constraints on secondary school building construction in the Mtwara Region, Tanzania. These constraints were particularly important because they affected student enrollment and the quality of education. When construction projects do not succeed, they are often expensive, late, and low quality. Major problems were sudden design changes, lack of supervision, and funding. Despite the government's attempts to enhance implementation, poor monitoring and late release of funds continued to curtail the provision of appropriate teaching and learning materials. The research investigated the effect of cost management practices, managerial competence, and stakeholder participation on project success. The research was a quantitative and descriptive design using mixed-methods including close- and open-ended questions based on a five-point likert scale. The instruments used in the study were assessed for reliability and validity. Results revealed that, although cost management practices did not significantly impact project completion, they moderately affected the overall performance. There was no significant association between cost management and the identification of resource needs; however, effective cost management was essential for better results. Poor planning and limited involvement from stakeholders contributed to further delays. It was concluded that although some indicators are statistically insignificant, high-quality cost management and effective stakeholder participation is crucial for the completion of secondary school infrastructure projects in the Mtwara Region.