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Motivational Factors as Correlates of Women’s Participation in Community Development Programmes in Ilorin Metropolis, Kwara State Nigeria
Get PDFSmallholder farmers are significantly considered being amongst the poorest that are most affected by climate change. Climate change is rated the greatest threat to smallholders’ food production in the 21st century. Despite scientists agreeing that the world is getting warmer, it was important for this study to assess whether climate change is a reality that is known and experienced by smallholder farmers in Malawi. This paper assesses smallholder farmers’ Knowledge, Attitudes and Perceptions (KAP) towards climate change in comparison with available meteorological data for 50 years. Descriptive research design with a mixed approach of both qualitative and quantitative research methods was adopted. A sample of 183 respondents was randomly and purposefully selected to include both household heads and key informants. Data collection method included Survey Questionnaire, Key Informants Interviews, Focused Group Discussions as well as literature review. Meteorological data for 50 years was analysed to underpin farmers’ perceptions on climate change. The result shows that survey respondents’ knowledge of climate change is derived from their experiences, thoughts and ideas about how to cope with changing drought and rainfall seasons. Those results are in tandem with the conventional view based on scientific evidence that suggests changing climate in Malawi with profound impact on seasons
Relationship between Psychological Contract Breach and Affective Commitment among Public University Academicians in Tanzania: The Mediating Role of Job Satisfaction
Get PDFThis study examined the effect of two job attitudes – perceived psychological contract breach and job satisfaction on affective commitment as well as whether job satisfaction mediates the relationship between psychological contract breach and affective commitment. A cross-sectional explanatory research design was used involving a sample of 223 academicians drawn from five public universities in Tanzania. Multiple regression analysis techniques were used to examine the effect of psychological contract breach and job satisfaction on academicians’ affective commitment to their respective universities. The mediation role of job satisfaction was tested using Andrew Hayes’ Process Macro 4.0. The results show that the two predictors explained about 62 percent of the variance in affective commitment where psychological contract breach and jobs satisfaction have, respectively, statistically significant negative and positive effects. Job satisfaction, in addition to being the most influential predictor, mediates significantly, but partially, the relationship between psychological contract breach and affective commitment. The study concludes that while psychological contract breach negatively affects the academicians’ affective commitment, part of this effect is indirect through job satisfaction. It, therefore, recommends that honoring psychological contracts is important for cultivating affection and identification of academicians with their universities, and that these outcomes would be enhanced if job satisfaction-enhancing measures are also stepped up
Attitude of Grade III A Teachers towards joining the Ordinary Diploma in Primary Teacher Education of the Open University of Tanzania: Empirical Evidence from Katavi Region
Get PDFThis study examined the public attitude towards the Ordinary Diploma in Primary Teachers Education (ODPTE) of the Open University of Tanzania in Katavi region. The study employed a case study design and applied a qualitative approach. With a sample of 113, the study involved participants ranging from the OUT-Staff, Regional Administrative Secretary, Region Education Officer, District Executive Directors, District Education Officers, Ward Education Officers, Head Teachers, Other Teachers, Students and Graduates. Interview method was used for data collection and themes were used as a base for data analysis. The findings revealed that many Grade (III) A teachers had information about the ODPTE programme as compared to the rest of the community. Student-teachers knew about ODPTE from the fellow teachers. The findings indicated that Grade III A teachers were motivated to join the programme to improve knowledge, attract salary increments, pedagogical development and strengthen their CVs. Others reasons, were further study, family care and affordable cost. The findings also revealed that there was a shortage of learning materials, library, difficult to secure permit for face-to-face sessions conducted at zona level, long distance from the regional Centre and ICT issues. It was concluded that public attitude on ODPTE is mixed because of limited information about OUT, ODL and the ODPTE programme. Limitations of information is attributed to media, content and language use on the issues related to ODL, OUT and ODPTE. The study recommended that the OUT should prepare the learning materials to communicate with employers for awareness of the programme, to open sub-centres in councils and the improvement of the regional Centre library
Analysis of Profit Efficiency of Grape Production: A Case of Smallholder Grape Farmers in Dodoma, Tanzania
Get PDFThe aim of this study was to assess the contribution of production and profit efficiency of grapes production from farmers in Dodoma region. However, the study was specifically conducted in Dodoma region at Dodoma municipal council, grape farmers were the focal point of the study. The research used two approaches, quantitative approach and qualitative approach. Through purposive and simple random sampling, four (4) respondents from four villages (one officer in each village) who were government extension service officers were interviewed. Moreover, in this study, a sample of 118 respondents from grape farmers were provided with questionnaire. Data were collected through interviews and questionnaires and the results were analyzed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) program version 20. The results show that grape production contributes a lot to the economics of the household since it increases the income of the household up to a profit of Tsh 667,419 per acre. Therefore, we recommend some strategies which should be used to boost grape production in the country. The strategies include the formation of groups or cooperative agriculture; agricultural experts (such as agricultural extension officers) should establish close relationship with farmers to understand farmers’ challenges fully and involve them in obtaining solutions. Finally, simple storage facilities should be provided through collaboration with different partners like individuals, private sectors and government
Library’s Legal Framework: Legislations, Regulations and Policies on Educational Transformation in Tanzania-An Enabler or Deterrent?
Get PDFThis is an exploratory paper which presents an analysis of the state of the library legal framework, and its impact on educational transformation in Tanzania. The paper focuses on legal and policy aspects of the law, to establish whether they enable or deter the education transformation process and to propose reforms. The data were collected through document analysis. The reviewed documents include the Education Act Cap 353 of 2002 and the School Library Resource Centres Regulations (2002); Copyright and Neighboring Rights (Licensing of Reproduction and Rental Rights) Regulations, 2014; Education policy of 2014; the National Library Policy; and Tanzania Library Service Board Act 1975. Others are the Sokoine National Agricultural Library Act No 7 of 1991; the role of Open Educational Resources (OER) in education, and the significance of the legal framework. The study established that the 2014 Education Policy is silent on library-related issues. Although the Education Act Cap 353 sect 60 (u) G.N No.282 (2002) assigns the Minister of education powers to affect the provisions of the Act, such instructions are missing in the parent Education Act. Some sections of the Legal Framework are inconsistent with the educational transformation in Tanzania. Based on these findings, it is argued here that a conducive environment for educational transformation may be attained by the following. First, by amending the existing legal framework. Second, by ameliorating the legal framework of the Education Act Cap 353 60 (u), Copyright and Neighboring Rights (Licencing of Reproduction and Rental Rights) Regulations (2014). Third, by enhancing awareness amongst library professionals of the laws, regulations and policies enacted by the Government
Shortage of Science and Mathematics Teachers and its Impacts on Secondary Schools in Tanzania
Get PDFThis article discusses the shortage of science and mathematics teachers and its impacts on secondary schools in Tanzania. The study adopted a mixed-methods research approach. A total of eight (8) secondary schools were selected. The data were collected through questionnaires and interviews. A total of 106 respondents (98 students and 8 Science Teachers) were involved in responding to the questionnaires and interviews respectively. Quantitative data were analysed using frequency count and percentage while qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis. Poor performance in science subjects was revealed as the major causative of the shortage of science and mathematics teachers. Many students fail in science and mathematics; thus, the number of graduates declines. Considering that some of the science graduates join other careers, a few join teaching career. This trend of cause and effect creates a cyclic relationship between the factors and the impacts of the shortage of science and mathematics teachers. The study recommends that stakeholders should motivate students to like science, mathematics, and teaching career and ensure that they emphasize positive students’ attitudes toward science and mathematics subjects
Civil Servants’ Perception Towards The Open University of Tanzania
Get PDFThe purpose of this study was to investigate the civil servants’ perceptions towards the Open University of Tanzania (OUT). The study employed a qualitative research approach, guided by distance learning theory, self-perception theory and mathematical theory of communication, involving 81 sampled civil servants. A case study research design with interviews and focused group discussion (FGD) were employed in the study. The collected data were analyzed through thematic and discourse analysis. The findings revealed that there is both positive perception and negative perception from civil servants about OUT. The findings also revealed that civil servants had a good understanding of the term OUT although some of them used OUT and ODL interchangeably. It was further revealed that the number of civil servants enrolled in the ODL programmes offered by OUT was notably lower as a result of limited experiences and insufficient details about the OUT programmes and its mode of delivery. The nature, availability, and formats of information about OUT raised concerns among civil servants. The study recommended that OUT as the ODL flag bearer, should continue packaging, showcasing, sharing, and updating information on ODL in the society. This will improve understanding and eventually the participation of the community, particularly the civil servants, in ODL programmes at OUT
Financial Service usage and Rice Commercialization of Smallholders Farmer in Kilombero District: The Role of Institutional Law and Regulation
Get PDFThis survey study was conducted in Tanzania to assess the effect of financial service usage on the agriculture commercialization of smallholder rice growers in Kilombero District. Primary data were collected using survey questionnaires from 358 smallholder farmers. Data were analyzed using hierarchical multiple regression analysis and Hayes PROCESS macro with the help of IBM SPSS software. The results obtained suggest that financial services usage had a positive effect on rice commercialization. The results also confirm that institutional law and regulation had a negative significant moderating effect on the relationship between financial service usage and agriculture commercialization. This implies that high laws and regulations in accessing and using financial services hinder smallholder farmers’ usage of financial services. The study recommends that to improve the level of agriculture commercialization, policymakers and the Government are required to set policies which reduce the cost of accessing and using financial services and improve the efficiency of rules and regulations governing financial services usage
Malmquist Productivity Change of Mutual Funds in Tanzania
Get PDFThis study utilized Data Envelopment Analysis to assess the efficiency of six mutual funds in Tanzania spanning from 2018 to 2022. The analysis explores efficiency changes, technical advancements, scale efficiency, and total factor productivity. The results revealed significant trends of Mutual funds, on average, demonstrate a 3 percent increase in total factor productivity, signifying enhanced output relative to inputs attributed to improved management practices, technology integration, and operational enhancements. Conversely, technical efficiency change experiences by 2.7 percent decline, indicating that certain funds struggle to optimize inputs, potentially due to shifts in management strategies, resource allocation, or market variations. Further differentiation between large and small mutual funds reveals that larger entities exhibit more favorable productivity changes. This disparity is ascribed to economies of scale, improved investment prospects, and reduced transaction costs for larger funds. The study underscores substantial implications for mutual fund managers and the industry. Positive improvements in efficiency change, scale efficiency change, and total factor productivity indicated an overall positive trend in the mutual fund industry. Emphasizing economies of scale can enhance efficiency and overall outcomes, urging regulatory bodies to provide guidance on achieving economies of scale and fostering better practices. This research offers valuable insights into the mutual fund landscape, emphasizing the critical importance of adapting to evolving market dynamics and incorporating technology to maximize efficiency and success
Relationship Between Ownership Structures and Level of Corporate Disclosure Among Listed Companies in Tanzania
Get PDFThis paper examined the relationship between ownership structures and the level of corporate disclosure (LCD) among Tanzanian listed companies. Relationships between director, government, institutional and foreign ownership and LCD were examined. The 105 firm-year observations for 21 listed companies were examined from 2016 to 2020. The agency theory was used. An explanatory research design was employed. Data were gathered through balanced panel data using a survey method. Descriptive and inferential analysis using Ordinary Least Square was used. Descriptive and inferential analysis using Ordinary Least Square was used. The study found that director, government, and foreign ownership positively affect the LCD, while institutional ownership negatively affects it. This implied that in Tanzania, ownership structures were very important in determining LCD.The study concluded that Tanzania's LCD is moderate, and companies should disclose director ownership, establish independent oversight mechanisms, collaborate with foreign investors, and engage with institutional investors to align corporate governance practices with international standards