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Peri-Urban Land Use/Cover Change in Songea Municipality, Tanzania
Full text linkPeri-urban land cover change in developing countries is taking place at a rapid rate following an increase in population in urban areas. This paper assessed land cover changes in peri-urban areas in developing countries. It specifically focuses to determine land cover changes which have occurred between 2003 and 2016 and exploring causes of land cover change in Songea peri-urban areas. The study applied a mixed research design as it involved quantitative and qualitative approaches. 132 heads of households were randomly selected and used in the study as a sample. Data were collected using questionnaires and interviews. Arc-Map 10.1 was used to analyse Google earth downloaded images of 2003 and 2016. Other data were analysed using SPSS version 20 based on descriptive analysis and content analysis was used for collecting qualitative data. Findings revealed that land cover changed from farm, grassland, and swamp into the built-up area following population increase in Ruhuwiko. The built-up area increased from 31% to 61 % while the cultivated area decreased from 31% in 2003 to 15% in 2016. 82% of the respondents pointed out that population increase in peri-urban areas were the main cause of land cover change. The study concluded that peri-urban land cover is changing toward built up areas and population increase is the main cause for peri-urban land cover change unlike climate change and infrastructural development. The study recommends enforcing urban planning regulation to avoid unplanned settlements.  
The influence of multiple sexual partners practice on HIV/AIDS infections among higher learning peer group students in Dar es Salaam
Full text linkThe study aimed at assessing the influence of multiple sexual partners’ behavior on HIV/AIDS infections among students in Higher Learning Institutions in Tanzania. A cross-sectional design was used, and a total of 150 respondents from IFM, UDSM, and KIUT were selected using convenience sampling technique. Data were collected using interview guide, document reviews and Likert scale questionnaires. Qualitative data were analysedusing content analysis, and descriptive methods of data analysis were used for quantitative data. It was revealed that students know the consequences of having multiple sexual partners, and that peer groups of students influenced themselves into engaging in sexual relations, even having multiple sexual partners. There are also a set of personal factors that influence students to have multiple sexual partners and the related factors include watching porno videos from websites, social media and love stories on TV and Radio. The study recommends that HIV/AIDS education and, sensitization be given to students reminding students on the risk of having several sexual partners. HIV testing be done regularly among university students to know their status
Community Service Orders and Prison Congestion in Tanzania
Full text linkThere is a problem with overcrowding of inmates in Tanzania’s prisons, which community service orders could significantly reduce. However, sentencing data show that judges rarely impose community service orders for reasons not well supported by research. In this context, this study explored why law enforcement officers tend to avoid issuing community service orders. The research was carried out in Keko, Segerea, and Ukonga Prisons in Dar es Salaam. As an ethnographic study, it used a phenomenological qualitative research design. Data was collected through structured questionnaires, in-depth interviews, and documentary review from 40 respondents selected purposively and randomly. The qualitative data were analyzed using Atlas.ti software. The study found that community service orders were rarely applied to eligible offenders. It revealed that the decision to impose these orders depended more on the magistrate's discretion than on legal requirements. Consequently, magistrates often chose imprisonment over non-custodial sanctions. Based on these findings, the study recommended that the barriers preventing the use of community service orders should be addressed by all stakeholders. Enforcers should consider the benefits of this sanction for the state, offenders, society, and families of offenders
Bibliometric Analysis of Psychological Distress Among Higher Learning Students in Africa
Full text linkThis bibliometric study explores research trends, collaborative networks, and thematic focus areas within the field of psychological distress among higher education students in Africa. It offers a comprehensive overview of recent scholarly contributions, identifying key researchers, institutions, and publication patterns. A total of 877 empirical studies were retrieved from the Dimensions database using predefined search criteria. After a rigorous screening and eligibility assessment, 264 studies met all inclusion criteria and were included in the final analysis. Using VOSviewer 1.6.20 software, the study conducted network analyses and generated data visualizations to map research collaborations and thematic developments. The University of Cape Town and Addis Ababa University emerged as leading institutions in publishing research on psychological distress in Africa. Notably, countries such as South Africa, Ethiopia, Canada, Ghana, Kenya, and Uganda demonstrated high levels of international research collaboration in this domain. Keyword analysis revealed that the research is strongly tied to broader issues concerning societal, health, and psychological well-being. Thematic analysis identified several core research clusters, including the epidemiology of psychological distress, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and mental health challenges among university students. Citation analysis further highlighted the most influential authors, institutions, and publication sources, offering deeper insights into the field’s academic landscape. This study provides critical insights into the evolution of research on psychological distress among higher education students in Africa, emphasizing key trends, collaborative patterns, and thematic developments that can inform future research and policy initiatives
How Vulnerable Living Conditions Drive School Dropout in Tanzania: A Causal Analysis with Moderating Factors
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Abstract
Dropout rates in Tanzanian secondary education hinder students from progressing to higher grades or completing the education cycle. This challenge undermines the government's efforts to ensure high completion rates, despite policies aimed at improving secondary education access and quality. This study examines the impact of vulnerable living environments on early school leaving in secondary education in Tanzania. The study analyses time series data on dropout rates from 2019 to 2022, assessing the influence of students' persistence in vulnerable environments on dropout trends. Using Generalised Least Squares (GLS) regression with a random effects model, the findings reveal that students living in vulnerable environments are more likely to drop out of school early. The issue is particularly pronounced in rural schools, which often face socioeconomic disadvantages. Also, the study finds that the severity of the problem intensifies with advancing school years, partly due to the dynamic nature of regional demographics. Based on these findings, the study recommends policy interventions, including revising school establishment policies, restructuring the fee-free education policy, enhancing healthcare services for students living in vulnerable environments, and encouraging low-income families to participate in income-generating activities reflecting their contexts
Enhancement of Chaining Strategy in Developing Reading Skills among Deaf Pupils in Tanzania
No full textReading difficulties among deaf pupils are recognised as a global concern, and this issue is particularly evident in Tanzania. In Tanzania, deaf pupils have been facing challenges in developing reading skills compared to their hearing peers. This persists even with the implementation of the chaining strategy by teachers, which is widely endorsed by many researchers as an effective strategy for teaching reading skills. Thus, this study explored tactics to enhance the chaining strategy in developing reading skills among deaf pupils in Tanzania and developed a model that incorporates the identified tactics with the chaining strategy. The study applied a qualitative approach with a sample size of 12 teachers from four special primary schools for the deaf located in Dar es Salaam, Njombe, Kagera, and Tabora regions. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and were analysed through thematic analysis. The study underscored the importance of early identification as the foundation for proactive measures to ensure that deaf children receive appropriate support from an early age, which can lead to better literacy outcomes. Furthermore, the study indicated the need to improve memory and connection abilities of deaf pupils while raising their learning curiosity by incorporating learning games and visualization within the chaining strategy. Again, the study revealed that the strategy’s effectiveness increased when teaching and learning barriers are eradicated through curriculum adaptation, the availability of teaching materials, and competent teachers with sign language skills. Therefore, the study recommends that the government should make sure that all deaf children attend a pre-primary education program before enrolling in primary education, where they will get early sign language exposure and be oriented to the world around them. As well, the government should make sure that the curriculum is adapted to address the literacy learning needs of deaf pupils and should include sign language content. Likewise, the government should allocate specific funds for purchasing visual aids, developing tailored teaching materials, and training teachers in sign language to enhance the application of the chaining strategy
Enhancing Critical Thinking Skills for Visually-Impaired Students: Insights from Tanzanian University Tutors
Full text linkThis study explores strategies for enhancing critical thinking skills among visually impaired university students, aiming to empower them with essential competencies for academic success and future employment. By fostering greater independence and confidence, the study contributes to more inclusive higher education practices. A qualitative research approach, guided by a phenomenography design, was employed. Using criterion purposive sampling, seven university tutors from a special education unit within the Department of Educational Psychology and Curriculum Studies were selected. Data were collected through a focus group discussion (FGD) and analysed using the Miles and Huberman model. The findings highlight key strategies to support critical thinking development, including the use of assistive technologies, multisensory learning approaches, individualized support, and adapted instructional methods. Creating accessible learning materials and offering opportunities for collaborative learning with sighted peers were also noted as effective. The study recommends that higher education institutions provide professional development workshops to equip tutors with inclusive teaching strategies. Additionally, diverse assessment methods—such as oral presentations and project-based tasks—should be employed to enable visually impaired students to demonstrate their critical thinking skills. The study further advocates for continuous research into best practices for supporting critical thinking among students with visual impairments
Assessing Lecturers’ Teaching Strategies for Learners with Hearing Impairment in Tanzanian Higher Learning Institutions
Full text linkThis study assessed the teaching strategies employed by lecturers to support learners with hearing impairments (LwHI) in higher learning institutions in Tanzania, addressing a critical gap in inclusive education practices. The research underscores the importance of adapting pedagogical approaches to promote equitable learning opportunities for all students. The study was guided by two objectives: (i) to examine the current teaching strategies utilized by lecturers in inclusive classrooms, and (ii) to explore the perceptions of LwHI regarding the effectiveness of these strategies. Employing a qualitative research approach within a single case study design, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of 10 lecturers and 10 students with hearing impairments. The findings revealed that lecturers implemented a range of instructional strategies, including video captioning, transcription, sign language interpretation, visual aids, and the use of multimedia resources. Additionally, assistive technologies such as listening devices were employed alongside collaborative learning techniques. Despite these efforts, both lecturers and learners reported several challenges, including limited proficiency in assistive technology use, overcrowded classrooms, time constraints, and communication barriers due to unreliable interpretation services. The study recommends enhanced classroom modifications, targeted training for lecturers in sign language, and the increased application of interactive teaching methods. Furthermore, it calls on curriculum developers to integrate the specific needs of learners with hearing impairments into educational planning and instructional delivery
Factors influencing teachers’ adoption of digital technologies in Tanzanian special needs classrooms
Full text linkWhat Drives the Profitability of Insurance Companies in Tanzania? An Empirical Analysis Based on Panel Data
Full text linkThis study examined the drivers of the profitability of insurance companies in Tanzania. Subjecting secondary data extracted from the Annual Insurance Performance Report issued by the Tanzania Insurance Regulatory Authority to analysis, the study found the sample to be unbalanced as it did from 2011 to 2020. Nevertheless, it yielded 218 firms’ year observations for analysis. Moreover, the study employed panel data regression models to calibrate the influence of the drivers on the profitability of insurance companies. The results indicate that market share and net premium significantly and positively correlated with the profitability of insurance companies in Tanzania. Furthermore, the study found a significant converse relationship between incurred claims and the profitability of insurance companies in Tanzania. Based on the research findings, the study recommends that the executives of insurance companies should expand their market share using marketing penetrating strategies to boost profitability. Likewise, they should strive to manage efficient incurred claims as they affect conversely the profitability of insurance companies