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An Assessment of the Structural and Process Quality in pre-Primary Education in Tanzania: The case of Rural Schools
Get PDFIn recent years, there has been an increase in the demand for early childhood education (ECE) in lowand middle-income countries, including Tanzania. There is also growing awareness that unless ECE is of high quality, children may attend school but may not learn. This study sought to establish the quality of ECE programmes. It was, therefore, important that the researcher investigates whether the ECE programmes were meeting the expectations of the quality indicators and consequently the holistic needs of children in the early years. The study utilized a descriptive survey design. Data were collected throughan observation schedule and questionnaires administered to 45 pre-primary education teachers in Dodoma, Morogoro and Mwanza regions, Tanzania. Data were analyzed descriptively using frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations.Findingsrevealed that infrastructure, teachers’behaviours, school leadership and child-protection measures were generally fair. While teachers’ qualifications, classroom characteristics, parents’ participation in school activities, equipment and materials were found to be unsatisfactory. By way of conclusion, unsatisfactory structural and process quality of ECEin rural areas calls forregular in-service training for teachers, improving classroom characteristics, increasing parents’ involvement in school activities, and increased budget allocations to pre-primary education (PPE). Addressing these areas can lead to better educational outcomes for children and contribute to their overall academic success
Mitigating the Effects of Fire Outbreaks in Secondary Schools: Strategies for Safeguarding Children at Risk in Tanzania
Get PDFThis paper investigated alternative strategies for safeguarding Tanzania children from school fire disasters. The study was guided by change management theory. Data were collected from four secondary schools from two regions of Tanzania Mainland. A qualitative approach was employed and data were collected through face-to-face interviews, Focused Group Discussions and physical observations. The study involved 101 participants – 61 students, 35 teachers, 3 Heads of Schools and 2 members of the School Board. The study revealed that improved school infrastructures, provision of education to people, building harmony with the community, improved school security, installation of firefighting facilities in schools and identification of sources of fire were the appropriate strategies to manage fire. Combined efforts of the school, community, government and education supporters are of paramount importance for mitigating regular fire outbreaks in secondary schools
Challenges of Implementing World Health Organisation Measures on Covid-19 for People with Disabilities in Tanzania
Get PDFTanzania like other countries was also affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Following the coronavirus outbreak, Tanzania decided to adopt health control measures from World Health Organisation. Even though the measures were taken, it was more challenging to disabled people. This study intended to examine the challenges that affected disabled people in implementing WHO health measures during the COVID-19 outbreak. The study used a desk review study whereby full-length articles published in academic journals between 2019 to date were reviewed. Data were generated from WHO reports, health reports from Tanzania, online coronavirus news via Google scholar using keywords such as "disabled people," "COVID-19", and "government responses." 48 articles were generated and analyzed using content analysis. The findings revealed that people with disabilities faced challenges in implementing WHO measures even though Tanzania has several laws and regulations to protect people with disabilities. The Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly, and Children in Tanzania needs to use an acceptable form of communication that is user-friendly to disabled people when announcing coronavirus news. Maintaining social distancing is challenging for disabled people. Most of them depend significantly on others, but investing in building health centers specifically for them would help them to socially distance themselves from the mainstream population. Although wearing of face mask is crucial, but transparent face mask is the way to go as this would help those with hearing issues to interpret the lips movement. Health workers need to be trained on how to communicate with disabled people properly. Special lines need to be introduced in every public hospital to assist them in handling emergencies for disabled persons
Influence of Marketing Expenses on the Profitability of the Listed Manufacturing Companies in Tanzania
Get PDFIn recent decades, marketing expenses have been one of the subjects that have taken much attention internationally due to the influence it has on the day-to-day business activities of different business companies. Several studies have been done on the relationship between marketing expenses and business companies’ profitability globally. However, there are limited studies that used DuPont analysis to examine the responding variable (profitability). To bridge this gap, this study examined the influence of marketing expenses on the profitability of listed manufacturing companies in Tanzania guided by the marketing mix theory. The study used an explanatory research design whereby all data for the response variables were collected from the financial reports of the six listed manufacturing companies. This study further used 84 observations or cross-sectionals from a population of six LMCs. Descriptive and correlation analysis and pooled OLS were used for data analysis with a help of EViews. The census as a sampling technique was used to consider all 6 LMCs. The results have indicated that marketing expenses have a negative influence on the profitability explained by DuPont. This implies that if companies want to successfully increase their profitability, then they must relatively reduce their spending on marketing their products
Not only Adventurous but also Leisure: Re-defining Tourism in Tanzanian Mount Kilimanjaro National Park
Get PDFThe highest mountainous tourism destinations in the world receive few numbers of tourists both domestic and international. Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa is not exceptional. This is because mountains are famous as adventure destinations due to the associated risks during trekking the summit. Consequently, only risk-taker tourists trek mountains. The objective of this study is to profile attractions in Mount Kilimanjaro’s altitudinal gradients to attract adventurous, acrophobic (fear of heights), and leisure tourists using a mixed-method approach. The results revealed that each altitudinal gradient harbours unique attractions. At an altitude of 1800 -2800masl, leisure, and acrophobic tourists experience endemic forest flowers like ‘touch-me-not’ or impatiens‘and viola, and diverse wildlife species. Between 2800 and 4000 masl, floristic tourists enjoy giant groundsels, such as senecio and lobelia and the Shiraplateau. At 4000 -5000masl, where semi-adventurous hope to experience nothing, the study found attractive rocks with unique shapes like a cathedral, turtle, mushrooms, and captivating striped Zebra-like rocks. Finally, above 5000masl, the adventurer tourists experience dazzling stars at night, the snow in the tropics, and the summit. The study concludes that the diversification of attractions is likely to draw a variety of tourists, thus, boosting the overall number of tourists. Therefore, in order to increase revenue generated from tourism, tourism planners should market mountains as not only adventurous but also leisure destinations
Influence of Monitoring and Evaluation Practices on Performance of Tobacco Contract Farming Projects in Katavi Region, Tanzania
Get PDFMonitoring and Evaluation is globally used in assessing the project’s use of limited resources, transparency, improved service provision, value for money and accountability. The study’s main objective was to determine the influence of monitoring and evaluation practices on performance of tobacco contract farming projects in Katavi region, Tanzania. Whereas the specific objectives were to: determine the effect of M&E human resource capacity; establish the effect of M&E technical expertise; and determine the effect of stakeholder involvement in M&E processes team. The study used Resource Based Theory; Dynamic Capabilities Theory; and Theory of Change that were related to the study’s independent variables. Explanatory research design and cross-sectional strategy were used. The sample frame was purposively chosen while the 132 respondents sample size was selected using simple random sampling. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used in data analysis. The results indicated that M&E human resource capacity and M&E technical expertise were not significant. However, stakeholder involvement in M&E processes team was significant. The study recommends that the Agricultural and Marketing Cooperative Societies should establish all the M&E related policies, M&E plan framework, M&E department with all necessary resources while embracing results-based management, participatory Monitoring and Evaluation and information & communication technology
Influence of Traditional Medicine as Initiative for Rural Tourism and Poverty Reduction Strategy Tanzania: A Case of Kisarawe District
Get PDFDespite recent scientific advancement and globalization, traditional medicines and complementary/alternative medicine are still primary sources of health care, livelihoods and income generation among local communities falling under Rural Tourism (RT). This study assessed the influence of traditional medicine initiative as a rural tourism strategy inter alia for poverty reduction in Kisarawe district in Tanzania. The main objective was to examine the local community perception on traditional medicine administered by traditional healers whether it has impact in promoting community health compared to modern medicines; but also, as eco-tourism strategy for poverty reduction; while sustaining environmental protection and conservation of various bio-diversities. The study employed mixed methods included structured questionnaires, key informants’ interviews, application of Likert scale range from 1 to 7 in data collection from a sample size of 100 respondents. Other methods entailed direct field observation and reviews of relevant literature. SPSS software version 20 was used to analyze multivariate analysis. Results showed willingness of community members to undergo training on improvement of knowledge on traditional medicines supported by tourism programmes, government policies and regulations for sustainable RT, poverty reduction, environmental protection and conservation. The study concluded that, community perception on traditional medicine positively moderates the relationship between rural tourism development and poverty reduction; however, there was limited co-ordination of tourism activities; and insufficient collaboration between the public and private sector. It recommended that; future research should network with traditional healers in order to know more indigenous medicinal plant species in order to formalize their application in public health while promoting eco-tourism for social economic development of local communities in Kisarawe district
Information and Communication Technology in Lifelong Learning: Opportunities for People with Disabilities
Get PDFPeople with disabilities are underrepresented in adult education programmes that integrate information and communication technology (ICT), posing a challenge in adopting the pace of change facilitated by technological advancement. The increased use of ICT in facilitating lifelong learning presents challenges for training and retraining people with disabilities in the sense that, they are denied access to ICT. This study employed constructivism and communities of practice theories to investigate innovation in how ICT can be used to create lifelong learning opportunities for people with visual and hearing disabilities. The study involved 30 people with disabilities enrolled in ICT skills training classes at the Open University of Tanzania. Data were collected through interviews. The findings suggest that people with disabilities can learn the use of ICT if involved in collaborative action research. It was also found that enhancing ICT skills training for people with disabilities faced physical, fiscal, and human resources challenges. The study recommends increased funding for ICT skills training for people with disabilities to enhance their participation in lifelong learning. 
Interplay of Management Communication Pattern and Organizational Commitment: Implication on Selected Research Institutes in Southwestern Nigeria
Get PDFThe study examined the relationship between management communication patterns and organizational commitment in three selected research institutes in Southwestern Nigeria. Multi-stage random sampling technique was used to select 198 (15%) respondents from 1,344 employees from the three organizations. Structured questionnaires with a Cronbach Alpha coefficient of 0.79 was used to collect data on the socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents. Pearson Correlation, linear regression and analysis of variance were used to test the hypotheses. Results revealed that the trends of communication patterns in the study organizations were horizontal (x-=3.87) followed by upward (x=3.31), downward (x=3.16), and diagonal communication patterns (x. The most constraints to the communication process were status difference (x= 3.53),poor listening skills (x=3.48) and information overload (x=3.41). Employees were normatively (x=3.43) committed to the organization followed by continuance commitment (x=3.21) and affective commitment (x=3.19). In the tested hypotheses, the results of correlation analysis revealed a significant but negative relationship between family size (r=-0.20, p), the pattern of organizational communication (r=0.00p; and employees' commitment to the organization. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) revealed a significant difference (F=0.65) in the pattern of communication operated in different institutes selected for this study, with the specific valves of NIHORT (x=67.62), FRIN (x=66.19 and IAR&T (65.99) respectively. It is concluded that patterns such as horizontal, upward, and downward communication in the study institutes have enhanced the commitment of the employees to their respective institutes. The organization is therefore recommended to improve on the diagonal pattern of communication to improve task-related and periodic report processes in various departments. Lastly, the organization should rectify constraints to the communication process like status differences, employees’ poor listening skills, inadequate trust, and information overload
Bottlenecks to Inclusive Higher Education for Students with Disabilities during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Tanzania
Get PDFThis study explored the bottlenecks to the inclusive higher education for students with disabilities (SWD) during the COVID-19 pandemic in Tanzaniaand ways proposed to overcome them. The study useda qualitative approach that was informed by the phenomenological and multiple holistic case study design. A total of 158 research participants from four higher learning institutions in Tanzania were involved. They included 28 academic staff and 28 wardens who were selected through simple random selection.Others were 4 deans of students, 80 students with disabilities, 2 students’ leaders with disabilities, 8 personal assistants of students with physical impairments,and 8 heads of academic departments (these were purposively selected). The sample size was, however, determined by the point of saturation. Data were collected through interviews, focus group discussion (FGD), and direct observation where thematic analysis was used for data analysis. The findings revealed that allocation of rooms without consideration to SWDs and their personal assistants, difficulties in accessing information, unhygienic hostels, mobility difficulties, difficulties in access to preventive facilities and inadequate counselling services were part of the bottlenecks to inclusive higher education among SWD during COVID-19. The paper suggestsways to overcome the bottlenecks to inclusive education such as allocating rooms for SWDs and their assistants, improvement of infrastructures, orientation on mobility, and purchasing facilities and equipment which improvehygiene within inclusive education. It is recommended in this paper that the universities should establish units and resource centres well furnished with necessary equipment for students with disabilities which will be responsible for all matters related to SWDs