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A Theoretical Basis for Adult Learning Facilitation: Review of Selected Articles
No full textThe aim of this paper is to synthesize a theoretical basis for adult learning facilitation in order to provide a valuable systematic resource in the field of adult education. The paper has reviewed six journal articles with topics ranging from theory of andragogy; the effect of globalization on adult learning; the contribution of Malcom Knowles; constructivism as a theoretical model for adult learning and the relevance of Piaget and neo-Piagetian theories on adult education. Each article was first summarized and then critically reviewed to reflect the current Africa realities on adult education. The overall finding is that African scholars have not been in the forefront in contributing towards theories of adult learning facilitation. The key theorists like Malcom Knowles, John Dewey, and Piaget are among many others who were born and trained in the west so they theorized according to their own contexts. In the end a call is given to African academics in adult learning to push boundaries further in the field of andragogy in order to be applicable in the current socio-political and economic realities.Â
The Roles of Experienced Teachers in Inducting Novice Teachers in Tanzania
No full textThis paper reports findings on the investigation of the roles of experienced teachers in the induction of novice teachers in Tanzania. More specifically, the study aimed at establishing the roles experienced teachers play in the induction of novice teachers in secondary schools; and investigating the impact of induction on novice teachers. Informed by the mixed method approach, the study used purposive and stratified random sampling techniques to draw a sample of 86 participants. Quantitative data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences whereas qualitative data was analysed using Miles and Huberman’s stages of qualitative data analysis: data reduction, display and deduction. The study has established that experienced teachers assisted novice teachers despite lacking proper mentorship skills. It has also established that the induction of new teachers is critical for all newly-employed teachers to smoothen their settling in new work stations. Thus, the study concludes that there was a need to standardise and systematise the induction of novice teachers in Tanzania
Participatory Epidemiology of Coenurus Cerebralis Infections in Goats and Sheep kept by Pastoralists in Ngorongoro District, Tanzania
No full textLivestock diseases are among the most important causes of poverty in Ngorongoro district since such diseases deteriorate the livelihoods of local people. Participatory Epidemiology (PE) study was conducted in ten pastoralist villages in Ngorongoro district to determine morbidity, case fatality rates and their impact on livelihoods of the livestock keepers. PE tools that were used included simple ranking, proportional piling, seasonal calendars, timelines and probing. Goats were perceived as the most abundant among livestock species kept followed by sheep and cattle in that order. However, cattle with an average score of 51.6 were perceived as the most important for their livelihood.The importance of other animals in descending order was goats, sheep, donkeys, poultry and pigs being the least that scored 22.9, 16.7, 6.2 and 2.6 respectively. For goats the mean flock morbidity and case fatality rates for major diseases were 58.7% and 35% respectively while in sheep it was 61.5% and 24.5%. For the goats the overall score for morbidity rates for nervous signs/gid (ormilo in Maasai), pest des petites ruminants, pox, contagious Caprine pleuropneumonia and other diseases were 12%, 13.6%, 7.5%, 19.3%, and 7.3% while their respective mean score for case fatality rates were 100%, 48.5%, 33.3%, 34% and 38.3% respectively For sheep diseases, the overall score for morbidity for gid (ormiloin Massai tribe) pest des petites ruminants, pox, mange and other diseases were 12.5%, 12.4%, 8.7%, 20.1%, and 7.8% while the respective mean scores for case fatality rates were 100%, 48.3%, 26.4%, 5.4% and 33.3% respectively. The clinical signs of gid (omilo in Massai tribe) included unidirectional cycling, frequent abnormal noise, staggering, head tilting, difficult to chew and swallow and eventual death. Large cysts (up to 6cm in diameter) that were confirmed parasitologically to be Coenuruscerebralis were found mainly embedded between the different parts of brain lobes under the meninges. The present study confirms the debatable aetiology of CNS syndrome (Omillo in Massai tribe) for small ruminants in Ngorongoro district to be Coenurouscerebralis and validates development of strategies to control the disease that at present its case fatality rate issalarming and is a major threat to livestock health and Maasai pastoral community livelihood
Spouse Communication and Attitudes towards Contraceptive use among Married Women in Morogoro Municipality
No full textThis study was conducted with the purpose of determining whether spouses communicate on matters related to reproduction in the study area and tried to find out whether there is any correlation with contraceptive behaviour. The study was conducted to a sample of 135 randomly selected married women aged between 15-49 years from Morogoro Municipality. It was found out from this study that, majority of respondents do have positive attitudes towards spouse communication on reproductive matters though in actual sense the number of those who actually communicate is low. Contraceptive use was found to be high among respondents with high and neutral attitude towards spouse communication and the same pattern was observed to those who reported to communicate with their spouse. Surprisingly, respondents with low levels of communication had also high current contraceptive use indicating that they use contraceptive covertly. The study recommends that, it is important that policy makers should emphasize on the strategies that encourage discussion between husband and wife about family planning. Furthermore, more effort should be made to make sure that continuation rate is also high as the current use and intention to use contraceptives is high in the study are
Women Overcoming Barriers to Distance Learning at The Open University of Tanzania
No full textNo Abstract Availabl
Challenges facing Tanzanian Women Entrepreneurs while Managing Entrepreneurial Ventures: A Case of Mbeya City
No full textThe study from which this paper is based was conducted in Mbeya City, Tanzania, with the aim to investigate how women entrepreneurs sustain their ventures notwithstanding patriarchy, which is high in their communities whereby full control and inheritance of all the valuable assets like land, houses and animals are dominated by men. The overall objective was to assess the challenges that women entrepreneurs face in managing their entrepreneurial ventures. The rationalization of the study was premised on the need to generate empirical information to inform strategies to create enabling business environment which will enable more women to become instrumental in economic development in order to improve the general economy. A sample of 50 respondents was purposively selected out of the population of 120 women entrepreneurs, and copies of a questionnaire were administered to them for data collection. Moreover, one trade officer was interviewed using an interview guide. Descriptive statistics were computed in the analysis of quantitative data whereby frequencies, percentages, minimum and maximum values, and averages of some variables were computed. Content analysis was applied to qualitative data to transcribe the interview which was held with the trade officer. The findings indicated that the biggest challenges that women entrepreneurs faced when trying to manage their entrepreneurial ventures for both starting up and developing their own business activities were lack of capital and unreliable markets for their services and products. These challenges can be minimized through empowering women, for example in terms of seminars and training concerning various alternative strategies of financing their ventures apart from having own valuable assets which could be a strong base for financing their enterprises. This should go hand in hand with training. Hence, it is recommended that capacity building in terms of training should be done and increased to equip women entrepreneurs with knowledge and skills to manage entrepreneurial ventures competitively.Â
Effectiveness of Mobile Learning as a means of Distance Learning in Tanzania
No full textThe aim of this research was to explore the effectiveness of Mobile learning (M-Learning) as a means of Distance Learning (DL). A sample of 120 students were interviewed by using both questionnaire and face- to-face interview. Spreadsheet was used as an instrument to analyse the findings. Results of this study indicate that, distance learning need broadband communication connections, which clearly is more suitable to support online learning. Since Mobile devices have a network connection (3G/4G) available almost (99.999%) of the time in almost every part of developed countries; learners can enjoy the biggest advantage of M-Learning technology- when used; that it can be used anywhere, anytime and its usage is easy access to a larger number of distance learners. It is therefore concluded that effectiveness of M-Learning can be used as a means of DL and once used facilitate the entire distance education by enhancing communication among distance learners and lecturers and ways of delivering lectures
THE CONTRIBUTION OF PRIVATE STUDY ON DAY SCHOLARS’ ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN COMMUNITY SECONDARY SCHOOLS
No full textIn recent years, the academic performance in community secondary schools has been declining with tremendous enrolment of students. Researchers have highlighted different causes for such poor performance. The purpose of this study was to explore the contribution of private study on day scholars’ academic performance in community secondary schools. The study was conducted in Tabora region, particularly Uyui District, located in the central western part of Tanzania Mainland. In the process, descriptive crosssectional research design and a mixed research approaches were the major means of data collection and analyses. Data collection was done through questionnaires, focus group discussion and interview. The study sample comprised students (N=207) both poor and good performers among form four members, heads of schools (N=5) all from 5 secondary schools and parents (N=5). The study findings revealed that most day scholars did not have adequate private study time at home after school hours. This had probably contributed to their unsatisfactory academic performance that was observed among poor performers vis-à -vis good performers. Home climate had been identified as the critical challenge that faced most of day scholars in their private home study time. The poor performance of day scholars in community secondary schools can be attributed to inadequate private study time awhich has a direct link with home environment that support learning. Strategically, parents need to be educated on the future economic returns of education for their children that would help them create good home climate, which would support students learning after school hours.Â
CHALLENGES FACING SCIENCE TEACHERS DURING IN-SERVICE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES: A CASE OF LINDI REGION
No full textThe main objectives of the paper were to identify challenges facing science teachers during  in-service professional development programmes in Lindi region. The study adopted a qualitative research approach based on descriptive survey design. Data were obtained from 63 respondents, of which, 54 were science teachers, and 09 heads of school. It employed purposive sampling technique. The data were obtained through interviews, questionnaires, and documentary reviews. Qualitatively data were analysed and subjected to content analysis. The study findings revealed that financial constraints, shortage of teaching and learning materials, lack of follow up, shortage of time were some of the factors that hinder the implementation of in-service professional development programmes for science teachers. The study concludes that there is a need to strengthen implementation of inservice professional development programmes to science teachers. The study recommends that, government through Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST) and Regional Administration and Local Government (RALG) should collaborate and ensure science teachers are well facilitated to improve access to in-service programmes. This will subsequently equip teachers with relevant skills to cope with new career and professional changes.  The study recommends for the conduct of regular seminars and workshops to raise science teachers’ awareness and enhance their knowledge competence and confidence in applying competence –based approaches in teaching and learning process