SUAIRE (Sokoine Univ. of Agriculture)
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Effectiveness of the 5E learning cycle in teaching respiration in secondary school biology: a quasi-experimental study on enhancing conceptual understanding and student engagement
No full textJournal articleThis quasi-experimental study explored the effectiveness of the 5E
Learning Cycle instructional model in enhancing Form Three students’ conceptual
understanding and engagement in the topic of respiration in secondary school
biology. Conducted in four public secondary schools in Morogoro Municipality, Tan-
zania, the study involved 208 students, divided into an experimental (n = 101) and
a control (n = 107) group. The experimental group was taught using the 5E model
(Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, Evaluate), while the control group received
traditional lecture-based instruction. Data were collected using the Respiration
Concept Test (RCT), a Student Engagement Checklist, and a Student Perception
Questionnaire. Results revealed that the experimental group achieved significantly
greater conceptual gains (mean gain = 6.6, p < 0.001) than the control group
(mean gain = 2.2, p < 0.001). Observations indicated higher levels of engagement
among experimental group students, particularly in questioning, collaboration, and
participation in practical activities. Additionally, students in this group reported
more positive perceptions of the learning experience, including increased motivation,
enjoyment, and confidence in learning biology. The findings underscore the pedagog-
ical value of the 5E model in supporting deeper learning and student engagement.
The study recommends its broader adoption and integration into teacher training
programs to strengthen science education in Tanzanian secondary schools
Successes, constraints, and prospects for sustainable dairy cattle breeding using artificial insemination technology in Tanzania. a brief review
No full textManuscript of Pastoralism: Research, Policy and PracticeDairy farming makes a substantial contribution to both food security and
revenue generation, but because artificial insemination (AI) technology is not
widely used, genetic improvement is still restricted. The present state,
limitations, and potential of artificial insemination in Tanzania’s dairy industry
are examined in this review. The review combines national data, project reports,
and existing literature to assess the AI program’s success, identify important
limitations, and highlight potential avenues for long-term, sustainable genetic
advancement. For policymakers, researchers, and practitioners looking to
tackle the intricate problems presented by AI in Tanzania’s dairy production
industry, this paper offers insightful information by synthesizing previous studies
and identifying knowledge gaps. Good mitigation techniques are essential for
offering a workable route to boost AI adoption, accelerate genetic
improvement, and enhance the productivity and profitability of Tanzania’s
dairy sector
Evaluating the effects of traditional food knowledge integration in nutrition education on adolescent food preferences in Uyui-Rural Tabora, Tanzania
No full textJournal articleThis quasi-experimental study evaluated the effects of integrating traditional food knowledge into nutrition
education on adolescent food preferences in rural Tabora, Tanzania. The study was conducted between August
and October 2024, involving 271 form two and form three students from four rural secondary schools: Idete, Ibiri,
Ndono, and Mabama. Idete and Ibiri served as the experimental group and received an eight-week intervention
delivered by trained research assistants, focusing on traditional food knowledge, preparation, and cultural
relevance. A food preference questionnaire was administered pre- and post-intervention, and post-test focus
group discussions (FGDs) and classroom observations were also conducted. Quantitative analysis revealed a
significant improvement in food preferences among the experimental group (mean post-test score = 4.10)
compared to the control group (mean = 3.01), with a p-value < 0.001. Thematic analysis of FGDs indicated
increased appreciation for traditional foods, intergenerational knowledge sharing, and greater interest in
traditional food preparation. Observation checklists confirmed high levels of engagement and participation
during sessions. Findings suggest that integrating culturally relevant traditional food education enhances
adolescents’ food preferences and engagement in rural contexts. The study supports the incorporation of
indigenous knowledge into nutrition curricula to promote healthier eating habits and preserve food heritage
among youth in Tanzania and similar settings
Conflicting interests over natural resource use: the case of interactions among livestock keepers, farmers, and wildlife at Kilombero Valley, Tanzania
No full textJournal ArticleConflicts over natural resources use among farmers, livestock keepers, and
wildlife are escalating in the Kilombero Valley, Tanzania, posing significant threats
to livelihoods, security, and sustainable development. This study investigated the
types, drivers and impacts of these conflicts using a mix-methods approach,
including questionnaire survey, key informant interviews, and focused group
discussions. Descriptive statistics and content analysis revealed 16 distinct
conflict types, with the most prevalent being crop raiding by livestock before
harvest (farmers-pastoralist conflict) and disputes over farm boundaries (farmer-
farmer conflict). Key drivers of conflicts varied between groups but commonly
included an increasing number of livestock, inadequate supervision of herders,
and seasonal flooding of grazing lands. The primary consequences identified
were reduced crop yields, social tension, and emotional distress. To mitigate
these conflicts, the study recommends enforcing adherence to village land use
plans, promoting coexistence through community education, providing training
in livestock management and good practice, and regulating livestock influx into
the areaEU funding support through the MSCA-RISE UNDERTREES Project (GA No. 872384)
Drivers and barriers to climate‑smart aquaculture adoption: Insights from Mwanza and Mara Regions, Tanzania
No full textJournal ArticleClimate-Smart Aquaculture (CSAq) optimizes resource use, minimizes environmental
impacts, and enhances resilience to climate stresses. However, adoption remains limited in
African countries, including Tanzania, due to socio-economic, institutional, and environmental
barriers. This study investigated drivers and enabling conditions for CSAq adoption
in the Lake Zone of Tanzania. A cross-sectional survey of 384 smallholder aquaculture
farmers in Mwanza and Mara regions was analyzed using a multinomial logit regression
model. The results show that socio-economic factors significantly influenced adoption,
particularly education level (higher education increased integrated farming adoption;
χ2 = 132.48, p < 0.001), gender (male farmers were more likely to adopt integrated farming;
χ2 = 5.239, p = 0.003), and household size (larger households favored integrated systems;
χ2 = 10.838, p = 0.021). Institutional factors, including access to finance (χ2 = 10.258,
p = 0.013), extension services (χ2 = 14.888, p = 0.008), and training (χ2 = 19.564,
p = 0.003), facilitated adoption. Environmental conditions, such as proximity to water
(χ2 = 6.351, p = 0.048) and lower climate variability (p = 0.011), also influenced uptake.
Integrated farming, which combines aquaculture with agriculture and livestock, emerged as
the dominant CSAq practice. Polyculture and monoculture were less commonly adopted.
The regression results confirmed that integrated CSAq adoption is significantly driven
by income diversity, household size, training, and climate risk perceptions. These findings
directly inform the study’s recommendations, which emphasize targeted financial and
technical support, including access to credit, extension services, and gender-responsive
policies. Strengthening institutional capacity and embedding CSAq into national climate
adaptation frameworks will be critical for scaling sustainable aquaculture in Tanzania and
similar contexts
Challenges facing management of operational funds allocated for instructional and support needs of secondary schools in Mbeya District, Tanzania.
No full textInternational Journal of Curriculum and Instruction 17(2) (2025) 627–642This mixed study focused on the challenges experienced by schools in managing operational funds allocated
by the government for instructional and support services. The study employed a cross-sectional design and
involved 17 public secondary schools in the Mbeya district, Tanzania. A sample size of 10 participants,
encompassing 5 headmasters and 5 bursars, were involved to collect qualitative data by interviews that were
analyzed thematically. On the other hand, a sample size of 255 respondents, encompassing members of the
School Management Team (SMT) and heads of departments, were involved to collect quantitative data by
questionnaire that were analyzed by descriptive statistics using frequencies and percentages. The study
reveals that, efficiency of schools in managing operational funds received from the government is constrained
by unbudgeted mandates from local government authorities, inconsistent disbursement of funds, extended
delays in fund disbursement, and teachers serving bursary and teaching roles altogether are burdened in the
management of funds. The study underscores the necessity to streamline the coordination in fund allocation
decisions between school administrators and local government authorities to ensure equitable allocation of
requirements. The central government should also ensure consistent and timely disbursement of funds, and
hire dedicated bursars to base in schools
Influence of familiarity on consumer acceptance of value-added products from Justicia heterocarpa leaves
No full textJournal ArticleThis study investigated the sensory perception and consumer acceptability of value-added products derived from Justicia heterocarpa, an underutilized indigenous leafy vegetable with potential nutritional benefits. A total of 110 participants, comprising 80 semi-trained students unfamiliar with J. heterocarpa and 30 untrained university workers familiar with J. heterocarpa in term of consumption and utilization. Four samples (freshly harvested, blanched dried, unblanched dried, and fermented) were tested for consumer acceptability using a 9-point hedonic scale. The results revealed a significant influence of the panelists on flavor (p < 0.001) and overall acceptability (p = 0.003) among familiar and unfamiliar panelists. Unfamiliar panelists rated the flavor and general acceptability of the fermented vegetables higher. There were significant differences in color (p < 0.0001), flavor (p = 0.0002), and general acceptability (p = 0.0235) between the familiar and unfamiliar groups. Correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between general acceptability of flavor (r = 0.81) and texture (r = 0.65). Principal component analysis identified flavor and texture as the primary drivers of overall acceptance. These findings offer valuable insights into the development of palatable processed J. heterocarpa. These findings underscore the importance of carefully considering the effects of different processing methods when formulating product development strategies to enhance consumer acceptance
The pedagogical implications of ability grouping on students performance in Secondary Schools in Tanzania
No full textInternational Journal of Humanities and Social Science Invention (IJHSSI) Volume 14 Issue 2, PP. 44-50Students learning abilities vary from one individual to another. This implies that teaching
instructions must be modified to reflect students’ capacities, leading to ability grouping as one of the strategies
for this purpose. This study was conducted to examine the effects of ability grouping in secondary schools in
Tanzania. A descriptive phenomenological design embedded with qualitative approach was used for this study.
Ten secondary school teachers were interviewed for the study, among them five were male and five female
teachers. The findings of the study revealed some various opinions about ability grouping. The positive
implications were shown, whereby, higher-achieving students were grouped in the fixed grouping and some
positive implications when learners in the low-ability group were placed in the mixed grouping. However, there
were also negative effects of ability grouping, whereby ability grouping is not effective as it causes many harms
and damages to students; there are no overall effects of ability grouping on academic performance if students
are grouped by achievement; it is not only ability grouping itself that increases students’ performance but also
the role of peers. It is also not clear whether teachers really use appropriate strategies to instruct groups with
different abilities. Many teachers use the ability approach as a mechanism to identify low achievers in learning;
in some cases, teachers even demoralize lower achievers or pay less attention to the lower achievers, attributing
their poor performance to laziness. Consequently, the tendency towards labelling results in the declining
performances of lower achievers. This study recommends the use of effective practices and alternatives to
ensure equality and access to learning. There is a need to conduct a study to determine teachers’ use of
strategies along with ability grouping
Perceptions of innovation system stakeholders towards grassroots innovators in Tanzania
No full textJournal articleThis study explores the perceptions of various stakeholders toward grassroots innovators in
Tanzania and how these views shape the innovation ecosystem. Stakeholders, including
government agencies, private sector actors, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and
international donors, influence the grassroots innovation journey through their support, policies,
and funding mechanisms. Using a qualitative approach, data were collected from 35 grassroots
innovators through semi-structured questionnaire, key informant interviews, and observations.
Innovators were selected from the COSTECH database, Mashindano ya Kitaifa ya Sayansi,
Teknolojia na Ubunifu (MAKISATU) records, and participants in the Dar es Salaam International
Trade Fair Exhibition (SABASABA). The findings indicate that while institutions such as the
Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MOEST) and COSTECH are seen as crucial for
policy support, bureaucratic delays and budget constraints limit their effectiveness. Meanwhile,
organizations such as the Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA), Small Industries
Development Organization (SIDO), National Institute of Transport (NIT), and Dar es Salaam
Institute of Technology (DIT) are perceived as more accessible and hands-on in supporting
grassroots innovators. However, challenges persist in aligning private sector and international
donor support with grassroots needs due to issues of trust and mismatched priorities. The study
underscores the importance of addressing these perceptions to enhance stakeholder engagement,
improve resource distribution and foster a more inclusive innovation ecosyste
Ectoparasites and hemoparasites of the Emini Silvery Mole rats (Heliophobius Argentiocinereus Emini) in Morogoro region, Tanzania Essau Elly Mwalukasa
No full textJournal ArticleBackground: The silvery mole rat (Heliophobius Argentiocinereus Emini) is a subterranean rodent widely distributed across Sub-Saharan Africa and exploited as a protein source in some communities. Despite this, limited data exist on ectoparasite and hemoparasite infections in this species in Tanzania. This study aims to determine the prevalence of hemoparasites in silvery mole rats and to identify their potential arthropod vectors in the Morogoro region of Tanzania.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Mvomero and Morogoro districts, Tanzania, between March and June 2023. A total of 137 silvery mole rats were captured through manual excavation. Ectoparasites were collected from animal fur and identified morphologically using taxonomic keys. Blood samples were obtained directly from the heart, and smears were prepared, stained with Giemsa, and microscopically examined for hemoparasites. Statistical analysis was performed to assess associations between host factors, ectoparasite infestation, and hemoparasite infection.
Results: Of the 137 captured mole rats, 65% (n=89) were females and 86.7% (n=120) were adults. The overall prevalence of ectoparasitism was 71.5% (98/137). A total of 1,503 ectoparasites were recovered, dominated by Androlaelaps spp. (93.15%, n=1400), followed by Echinolaelaps echidinus (6.19%, n=93), and Haemaphysalis spp. ticks (0.67%, n=10). Hemoparasites were detected in 29.2% (40/137) of hosts, including Anaplasma spp. (25.5%) and Babesia spp. (16.8%). Coinfections with both parasites occurred in 13.1% of individuals. Adult mole rats had significantly higher odds of hemoparasite infection (OR = 3.23, 95% CI: 1.15–9.11, p = 0.04). Tick infestation was strongly associated with Babesia spp. (χ² = 11.91, OR = 15.56, p < 0.001) and Anaplasma spp. (χ² = 5.82, OR = 8.3, p = 0.01).
Conclusion: This study demonstrates a high prevalence of ectoparasites and hemoparasites among silvery mole rats in the Morogoro region. The dominance of mite infestations and significant associations between ticks and blood parasites highlight the potential role of mole rats as reservoirs of zoonotic pathogens. Further molecular studies are warranted to characterize these parasites and evaluate their public health implications