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The Paradox of Financing Public Higher Education in Tanzania and the Fate of Quality Education: The Experience of Selected Universities

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  • Samson John Mgaiwa

Abstract

This article examines the sources of funding for public university education in Tanzania. The article also examines the trends in Other Charges and Capital Development funding for selected public universities in Tanzania taking a leap of years from 2010/2011 to 2015/2016 and their implications for quality issues in the provision of higher education. Results indicate that the sources of financing for public universities in Tanzania are unreliable and unsustainable. The findings further show that government approval rates for budgetary requests from universities decreased over the 6 years. At the same time, the proportion of government-approved funds and those released to universities decreased during the period under review. This article argues that given the unreliability of sources of higher education funding and decreasing budget approval rate and disbursed funds, the fate of quality higher education in the Country is questionable should the trend continue. Based on the findings, conclusions are drawn and recommendations made in light of the weaknesses identified and the review of the system of public university education funding in Tanzania.

Suggested Citation

  • Samson John Mgaiwa, 2018. "The Paradox of Financing Public Higher Education in Tanzania and the Fate of Quality Education: The Experience of Selected Universities," SAGE Open, , vol. 8(2), pages 21582440187, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:sagope:v:8:y:2018:i:2:p:2158244018771729
    DOI: 10.1177/2158244018771729
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. World Bank, 2010. "Financing Higher Education in Africa," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 2448, April.
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    6. Peter Materu, 2007. "Higher Education Quality Assurance in Sub-Saharan Africa : Status, Challenges, Opportunities, and Promising Practices," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 6757, April.
    7. Franz Strehl & Sabine Reisinger & Michael Kalatschan, 2007. "Funding Systems and their Effects on Higher Education Systems," OECD Education Working Papers 6, OECD Publishing.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ana Carolina Ferreira Costa & Andresa Monique de Brito Silva & Maximilian Espuny & Aglaé Baptista Torres Rocha & Otávio José de Oliveira, 2024. "Toward quality education: Contributions of EdTech to the achievement of the fourth United Nations sustainable development goal," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 32(3), pages 1634-1651, June.
    2. Victor William Bwachele & Yee-Lee Chong & Gengeswari Krishnapillai, 2023. "Perceived service quality and student satisfaction in higher learning institutions in Tanzania," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-12, December.
    3. Odai Falah Mohammad AL-Ghaswyneh, 2020. "Marketing universities’ services role in providing financial resources," Journal of Financial Services Marketing, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 25(3), pages 65-75, December.
    4. Matete, Rose Ephraim & Kombe, Godlisten G., 2025. "Gender parity trends in STEM and non-STEM fields in Higher Education Institutions in Tanzania: A comparative analysis," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 114(C).

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