The Open University of Tanzania Online Journals System
Not a member yet
933 research outputs found
Sort by
Assessment of Wildfires in Tanzania Forest Plantations: A Case of Sao Hill in Mufindi District
Get PDFThe study investigated the wildfires in Sao Hill Forest Plantation (SHFP) in Mufindi District with a focus on causes, impacts, and challenges in fire-fighting. The inadequate data and studies on forest fires rationalized the choice of the study area. Mixed approach and a case study design were used. The sample of 45 respondents were purposively selected out of which 15 were key informants as an entrance point and 30 were other respondents snowballed as proposed by key informants. Descriptive and thematic analysis was used for quantitative and qualitative data respectively. Land preparation which involved clearing of forest harvest debris for tree replanting; slash and burning practice that farmers use traditionally for farm preparation was the major cause of wildfire in SHFP. The negative impacts outweighed the positive through the loss of trees which was ecologically and economically destructive. Inadequate facilities and community participation were the frequently mentioned challenges. The study recommended for the prerequisites in controlled burning to be followed, enhanced rational allocation of resources like equitable harvesting permits and farming land to avoid arsonism. More researches on biological means of land preparation are suggested to reduce fuel load through efficient technology and improved recovery
Impacts of Climate Change on Food Security and Adaptation Options for Smallholder Farmers in Malawi
Get PDFThis article is based on the study that assessed the impact of climate change on food security and adaptation strategies among smallholder farmers in Salima district, Malawi. The research design deployed literature review and case study survey. A mixed approach of both qualitative and quantitative research methods was used for data collection and analysis. Findings revealed a felt slight increase in temperature. Rainfall seasonality changes (inter annual and intra variation) are suspected to lead to more frequent and intensified droughts and floods that affect four pillars of food security i.e., food availability, access, utilization and stability. Perceived climate change risks are based on smallholder farmers’ experience and knowledge of their local farming. Majority of smallholder farmers in the study areas depend on subsistence farming that is rainfed and vulnerable to seasonality changes. Farmers are taking adaptation measures to ensure food security that includes indigenous knowledge based on past experiences and adoption of climate smart modern technologies. Adaptation limiting factors include limited livelihoods-based capitals, knowledge and skills of climate smart agriculture. There is need for reforming agriculture extension services provided by government through formal integration of climate smart agriculture in policy linkages to smallholder farmers
Utilization of Extended Postpartum Family Planning among Post-Delivery Women in Mvomero District, Morogoro-Tanzania
Get PDFThis study aimed at examining factors associated with the use of Extended Postpartum Family Planning (EPPFP) methods among post delivery women in Mvomero District, Morogoro, Tanzania. Based on cross-sectional design, the data collection activity was conducted on March 2020 to 256 post delivery women who delivered a child between January 1, 2019 and January 31, 2020. Purposive and convenience sampling were used to get respondents of the study. Data were collected using questionnaire. Through SPSS tool, descriptive analyses comprising of Pearson’s chi squire test was employed to establish association between independent and dependent variables. The prevalence of extended postpartum family planning utilization was 46%, the utilization of EPPFP was significantly associated with awareness of the reason for EPPFP use (P-value=0.013), awareness of EPPFP method (P-value=0.014), awareness of EPPFP side effects (P-value= 0.024), counselling sessions (P-value=0.000), menses resumption (P-value=0.010), duration of sexual activity (P-value=0.011) and history of previous pregnancy (P-value=0.000). Prevalence of EPPFP utilization among post delivery women is still low in Mvomero district. Enhancement of the utilization of EPPFP during the postpartum period needs effective response by stakeholders through provision of family planning education particularly during all maternal and child health contacts. 
Managing Stress in Times of Change for Teachers’ Wellbeing and Commitment to Change in Tanzanian Education Sector
Get PDFThis review attempts to explain the strategic importance of managing stress in times of change for teachers’ wellbeing and commitment to change in education sector in Tanzania. Building on Lewin’s change management theory, stress management strategies based on ethical leadership values (care, respect, integrity, and justice) were suggested to escalate teachers’ wellbeing, and commitment to changes in secondary schools. The findings revealed that teachers’ stress can be originated from unclear vision of educational managers, fear of the unknown, job insecurity and uncertainties on the job in times of change in secondary schools. Also, the findings suggest that leadership roles of clearly communicating the vision, supporting teachers, being fair, considerate, and respectful during times of change in secondary schools are central to managing stress in times of change. This review calls for empirical test of the relationship between stress management and teachers’ commitment to change initiatives in secondary schools.
 
Factors Affecting Use of Mobile Money Services on Loans Repayment for Saving and Credits Cooperative Societies (SACCOS) in Rombo District, Tanzania
Get PDFThis study assessed the factors affecting the use of mobile money on loan repayment in Savings and Credits Cooperative Societies (SACCOS) in the Rombo District in Tanzania. Specifically, the study assessed the influence of perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PEOU) and perceived risks (PR) of mobile money service on loan repayment in SACCOS. The study used descriptive and correlation analysis and a population of 17 SACCOS. Two SACCOS with a population of 2,724 borrowers were used to select the sample size of 120 borrowers using a systematic random sampling technique. The findings indicated that only 36% of borrowers repaid loans using mobile phones. Through correlation analysis, the results indicated that PU and PEOU did not significantly influence the mobile loan repayment while PR negatively and significantly influenced the mobile loans' repayment. The study recommends the formulation of policies that will guide mobile money loan repayment in Tanzania. The study further recommends that SACCOS clients should be trained on the importance of repaying loans through mobile money. This will enable tracking of the repaid loans and increase the loans repayment performance which seems to be a challenge for most of the SACCOS in Tanzania
Impacts of Climate Change on Food Security and Adaptation Options for Smallholder Farmers in Malawi
Get PDFThis article is based on the study that assessed the impact of climate change on food security and adaptation strategies among smallholder farmers in Salima district, Malawi. The research design deployed literature review and case study survey. A mixed approach of both qualitative and quantitative research methods was used for data collection and analysis. Findings revealed a felt slight increase in temperature. Rainfall seasonality changes (inter annual and intra variation) are suspected to lead to more frequent and intensified droughts and floods that affect four pillars of food security i.e., food availability, access, utilization and stability. Perceived climate change risks are based on smallholder farmers’ experience and knowledge of their local farming. Majority of smallholder farmers in the study areas depend on subsistence farming that is rainfed and vulnerable to seasonality changes. Farmers are taking adaptation measures to ensure food security that includes indigenous knowledge based on past experiences and adoption of climate smart modern technologies. Adaptation limiting factors include limited livelihoods-based capitals, knowledge and skills of climate smart agriculture. There is need for reforming agriculture extension services provided by government through formal integration of climate smart agriculture in policy linkages to smallholder farmers
The Role of School Library Resource Centres in Resource-Based Learning: A Case of Iringa and Njombe Regions of Tanzania
Get PDFThe school library system is the most valuable facility of the school and an integral part of the educational process and a tool for teaching and learning. This study explored the role of secondary school library resource centres in resource-based learning in Iringa and Njombe regions of Tanzania. The study used a cross-sectional descriptive survey design. The study involved a sample of 148 heads of secondary schools and 36 school librarians. The types of secondary schools studied included public and private owned schools. The data were collected using questionnaires. This study found that the secondary school library resource centres were vital tools for teaching in the resource-based learning. Librarians cooperatively work with teachers to facilitate resource-based learning. They are also critical for provision of professional expertise to enable teachers and learners to effectively use the resources and services to foster critical thinking and lifelong learning, a prerequisite for resource-based learning
A Motivational Conundrum on Transition to Secondary Education: What Are the Sources of Information for Primary Pupils on the Next Levels of Schooling in Tanzania?
Get PDFThis research article is focusing on the analysis of motivation of primary school pupils towards secondary level schooling the study was conducted in Mpanda district council, Tanzania. The study applied aa mixed research approaches with a survey study design. The study involved 286 participants; students in secondary and primary schools, Ward executive Officers, Village Executive Officers, Primary and secondary education Officers, Region Education Officer, School Board Chairpersons, Parents and other key informants as education stakeholders. Bothe probability and nonprobability sampling techniques were applied. Data collection methods used were questionnaires and interviews. SPSS and contents analysis were used to process data collected. Based on the advocacy of the sources, the study informed that sources of information on the relevance of secondary education were categorized into right and wrong sources. The former brings positive motivation whereas the later brings negative motivation. Overall, the study revealed that teachers, parents, successful people with post-primary education level and local Government authorities were right sources of information and models to primary pupils on the relevance of secondary education. However, Wrong sources included peer groups who failed to join secondary education or those joined but could not make it to completion to form four and unemployed graduates. The study recommends that knowledge, network, and information should be linked together. The community at large should tie hands together to share information that will play an advocacy role to primary pupils on the relevance of secondary education to help them cultivate both intrinsic an extrinsic motivation to participate into secondary education and lifelong learning process
Quality Assurance in School Assessment for Education Improvement: The Analysis of Experiences from Secondary School English teachers in Dar es Salaam
Get PDFQuality assurance is inevitable in school assessment for the improvement of education since; the best school assessment is the tool to understand the skills and competences which the student has acquired through teaching and learning process. The skills and competences acquired will help the student to exist in the era of rapid change. Therefore, the Quality assurance should focus on enhancing and improving the process that is used to prepare the assessment, rather than focusing on the result itself. The study highlights the principles of assessment which include validity, reliability, transparency, inclusivity and equitability, relevance, manageable and practicable in ensuring the quality of assessment in school assessment. The study was conducted in ten (5) government schools and ten (5) private schools in Dar-es-Salaam Region. The study used survey methodology to collect primary data. A total of sixty-four (64) teachers participated in the research. Data were collected through questionnaire. The result showed that Teachers were found to assess students mainly for assigning grades rather than assessing for learning. Furthermore, the findings from the study revealed that teachers had inadequate knowledge in the area of assessment principles and quality assurance in assessment. It was also found that large classes and teaching workloads affected the quality of assessment in schools. However, for ensuring the quality of school assessment, the study recommends that, teachers should get refresher courses on the principles of assessment in order to equip them with the effective assessment skills. It is also suggested that the teaching process especially in the area of assessment be monitored closely by the inspectorate division in order to ensure its quality
Challenges Affecting Street Vending Business in Tanzania: A Review and Analysis from the Existing Literature
Get PDFThe street vending business is a crucial sector for the growth of the livelihood of most poor people in Tanzania. This study aimed at answering the question: “what have researchers done concerning factors affecting street vending business?” This study critically reviewed articles related to the street vending business in Tanzania. A total of 15 academic articles were generated from Google scholar and analyzed using content analysis. This study found out that the existing literature focused on five main themes, including challenges facing street vending business, skills & technology, social-cultural, law/regulation & policies, and urbanization. Although the existing literature has pointed out multiple challenges affecting street vendors, if street vendors were given business skills and support from the government, they would contribute significantly to economic growth. This study contributed to new knowledge by proposing various strategies on how to improve the street vending business. The proposed strategies include; establishing clear policy and guidelines for street business, a collaborative mechanism to manage the street vendors, and enhancing street vendors' training for their growth and sustainability