Perceptions of educational stakeholders on the introduction of entrepreneurship subjects at secondary schools in Zanzibar

Abstract

This study aimed at examining the perceptions of educational stakeholders on the introduction of entrepreneurship subjects at secondary schools in Zanzibar and the challenges of its integration. The study employed both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Questionnaires, focus group discussions, and interviews were used in data collection. A sample of 67 respondents, 30 students, 30 teachers, 6 headteachers, and 1 educational officer was used. The study employed stratified sampling and purposive sampling techniques in selecting the sample. Purposive sampling was used to select the teachers, headteachers, and the educational officer while stratified sampling was used to sample the students. Interviews were conducted with headteachers and educational officers whereas focus group discussions and questionnaires were administered to students and teachers respectively. The data collected through the questionnaires were analyzed with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20, while data collected using interviews and focus group discussion was analyzed qualitatively. The results were unequivocal as about 89.6% of respondents accepted the idea of the introduction of entrepreneurship subjects at secondary schools. Meanwhile, the findings showed that the integration would be faced with a myriad of challenges such as a shortage of competent entrepreneurship subject teachers, a shortage of teaching and learning materials, and the use of traditional teaching methods. The study recommended that the entrepreneurship subject can be introduced at secondary schools in Zanzibar but the use of modern teaching methods, frequent training of entrepreneurship subject teachers, and teaching entrepreneurship subject in an appropriate environment must be respected for better performance.