AN ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECTIVENESS ON RECORDS RETENTION AND DISPOSAL SCHEDULE IN GOVERNING THE INFORMATION LIFECYCLES AT BAGAMOYO DISTRICT COUNCIL

This study assessed the effectiveness of the Records Retention and Disposal Schedule (RRDS) in governing information lifecycles at Bagamoyo District Council. The study was guided by three specific objectives: to evaluate the alignment of the current records retention and disposal schedule with legal and regulatory requirements; to analyze the implementation of the schedule in governing information lifecycles; and to examine the challenges hindering its effective implementation. The study adopted a case study design within a mixed methods approach, drawing data from a sample of 44 respondents comprising Records Management Officers and Clerks, Heads of Departments, Registry Staff and Administrative Assistants, ICT Officers, the District Records Manager, and Internal Auditors, through questionnaires, interviews, document review, and observation. The findings revealed that although Bagamoyo District Council has an approved records retention and disposal schedule, it is only partially aligned with the Records and Archives Management Act No. 3 of 2002 and its Regulations of 2007, with retention periods and coverage of record series not fully updated to reflect the prevailing legal and regulatory environment. The schedule was found to be available and moderately implemented, contributing positively to improved information management and faster retrieval of records, although its application across departments remained inconsistent. The study further established that inadequate staff training, limited financial and material resources, low staff awareness, and inadequate management support were the principal challenges constraining effective implementation of the schedule. The study recommends that the council institutionalize regular reviews of the schedule, extend its coverage to all departmental record series, invest in staff training and records management infrastructure, and strengthen management support and supervision, while the Tanzania Records and Archives Management Department (RAMD) provides continuous technical guidance and compliance monitoring to local government authorities.

Type

Dissertation

Language

English

Peer review

Not peer-reviewed

Licence

All rights reserved