Journal Article

Professional Development and Empowerment among Secondary School Teachers in Mkuranga District, Tanzania

Mon, 31 Aug 2020 00:00:00 GMT

Professional Development and Empowerment among Secondary School Teachers in Mkuranga District, Tanzania Losioki, Bertha E. The study explores professional Development and empowerment among secondary schools teachers. Qualitative approach was employed to gather information on teachers’ empowerment, professional development, and factors limiting professional development. The target population was secondary school teachers, Head of Secondary Schools and Educational Officials in Mkuranga District, Pwani region. The study sample size was 52 respondents. Data were collected through in depth interview, questionnaire, non-participant observation, and documentary review. Content analysis was used to analyse data. The study findings show that observation visits and qualification programme were the main types of professional development among teachers. Teachers’ empowerment was found in the improvement of classroom teaching, handling of students’ matters, self-efficacy, status, and problem solving. Inability in innovative teaching practices was found among teachers. Structural factors such as inadequate support for professional development, inadequate resources, teaching workloads, and cultural factors such as learning culture, collaboration culture, and trust between teachers were some of the constraints to professional development among teachers. The government and Non State actors should support teacher professional development programmes in order to empower teachers and to ensure quality in students’ educational achievement and performance. ARTCILE

Cultural Challenges in Adherence to HIV Prevention among Youth in Kisarawe District, Tanzania.

Wed, 01 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMT

Cultural Challenges in Adherence to HIV Prevention among Youth in Kisarawe District, Tanzania. Losioki, Bertha E. Youth in Tanzania and the world at large are among the vulnerable population to HIV infection. Adherence to HIV prevention remains a challenge in Tanzania despite the efforts to curb the pandemic. The purpose of this study was to examine cultural practices that impede adherence to HIV prevention among the youth. The study adopted a cross-sectional design. The respondents were selected through simple random sampling among secondary school students and out of school youth aged 15–35 years in Kisarawe District Coast Region, Tanzania. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire, non-participant observation and documentary review. A total of 146 respondents were involved in the study. The study findings show that customs that encourage early marriage, values and norms that limit negotiation for safe sex and traditions that limit discussion about sexuality issues were a challenge to adherence to HIV prevention among youth. Adherence to HIV prevention and access to sexuality education and reproductive health information was found to be low among youth. The study concludes that customs encouraging early marriage, values and norms limiting negotiation for safe sexual practices, traditions that limit discussions about sexuality issues and night ceremonies significantly impede youth adherence to HIV prevention. The government and non governmental organisations should ensure implementation of policies and laws against traditional practices that tend to increase youth vulnerability. HIV prevention programmes targeted to youth should focus on sensitisation on harmful cultural practices and ensure the availability of comprehensive sexual education among the youth population. ARTICLE

Comparative Analysis of Youth Sexual Behaviour Risks for HIV and AIDS Infection in Mbulu and Mufindi Districts, Tanzania

Tue, 01 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Comparative Analysis of Youth Sexual Behaviour Risks for HIV and AIDS Infection in Mbulu and Mufindi Districts, Tanzania Losioki, Bertha E.; Mwageni, Eleuther, A. The youth are among the vulnerable population for contracting Human Immune deficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immuno deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), which are behavioural related problems. This paper examines sexual behaviour risks for HIV and AIDS infection among youth. A total of 232 youth both in and out of school aged 15-35 years were involved in the study. A cross sectional study design was adopted and data was collected through questionnaire, Non participant observation and documentary review. The study used descriptive statistics to determine frequency, percentages and the mean scores for sexual behaviour risks among the youth in the study areas. The findings showed that more than a half of the sexually active youth had had sexual intercourse and among the youth who had already had sexual intercourse, a half of them did not use condoms. The results showed significant differences in sexual behaviour risks among youth in the study areas (p < 0.05). Youth in Mufindi were at a higher risk than was the case with their counterparts in Mbulu. The study call for creation of youth programmes that will focus on reduction of sexual behaviour risks among the youth. Programmes for youth can focus on a range of services including prevention strategies, risk reduction, and behaviour change. ARTICLE

Education Opportunities and Support for Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Bagamoyo District Tanzania

Mon, 14 Dec 2020 00:00:00 GMT

Education Opportunities and Support for Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Bagamoyo District Tanzania Losioki, Bertha E. Education is a fundamental and universal basic need for all, especially orphans and vulnerable children in Tanzania. Education imparts knowledge, skills, and competencies to individuals. This study assessed educational opportunities and the support available to orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in Bagamoyo District to determine socioeconomic and psychological factors that limit access to education. Data were collected using in-depth interviews, non-participant observation and documentary review. The study involved 102 orphans and vulnerable children aged between 7 and 15 years and 35 adults key informants aged 25 years and above. The findings showed that OVC had access to free primary education but had limited access to secondary education. Access to education among OVC was constrained by limited and unreliable sources of funds to meet the necessary basic needs and school requirements including food, learning materials, school uniform, and fees. The findings show further that, OVC living in extended family experience more challenges compared to those staying in orphanage homes. OVC in the family and orphanage homes experience psychological challenges such as depression, loneliness, and stress. The study recommends that community programmes aimed at assisting orphans and vulnerable children should be strengthened to enable Orphanage homes and the extended family in taking care of orphans and vulnerable children. The relevant ministry (POR-LAG) should facilitate the availability of educational resources among orphans and vulnerable children to enable them to realise their educational goals. article