Effects of Students’ Sexual Relationship on Academic Performance among Secondary School Students in Tanzania

Sexual relationship among students in schools is found to be common. However, studies in Tanzania have not dealt much with the contribution of students’ sexual relationship on academic performance. This study attempts to highlight associations which students’ sexual relationship has on academic performance. Using 172 respondents drawn from eight secondary schools in two regions of Tanzania, using a pragmatic approach; it was found that, the existence of students’ sexual relationship, which is fuelled by self-sexual desire and/or coercion through sexual exploitation is a commonplace practice in Tanzanian schools. Students’ involvement in sexual relationship puts them into lots of relational and social problems, which adversely affect their social as well as academic lives. It is opined that, in order to help young people in schools, establishing bonds between parents and teachers in bringing up the youth is a necessary step; strengthening help and support systems in schools is another way of helping the youths; school-based sexual and reproductive health education, which will give students relevant and age appropriate sexual information is another strategy to help young people. The study discusses the findings in relation to existing literature and current Tanzania education practice; and lastly, limitations and recommendation for further studies are offered.