Factors Contributing to High Dropout of Distance Learners at The Institute of Adult Education in Rukwa Region.

This study addressed the main research question, which was, the factors contributing to dropout rates among students participating in open and distance learning at the Sumbawanga Institute of Adult Education? The sample size employed was 142 respondents, with 134 selected using convenience and purposive sampling. Data collection methods included questionnaires for quantitative data and interviews for qualitative data analyzed by SPSS and thematic analysis respectively. The findings from objective one showed that economic challenges and other responsibilities are a primary reason for dropping out, it is recommended that Government should now consider giving these learners loans so as deal with economic challenges. The objective two indicated that some learners dropped because of the long distance to the study Centre and poor internet connection in some areas, here it is recommended that the Institute of Adult Education should establish more learning centres near learners working areas. And the Third objective revealed that some learners dropped because they lacked information about Learning through Open and Distance Learning often occurring soon after registration or the initial face-to-face instruction period, here it is recommended that there is a need to provide comprehensive orientation programs focused on financial management to help learners meet their financial obligations and successfully complete their studies. Since the study was done for IAE there is need to conduct other studies to explore dropout trends in other ODL institutions for comparative analysis. Keyword: Open and Distance Learning, Dropout, Poverty, Sumbawanga Institute of Adult Educatio

Investigation of Factors for Low Participation of Female in Education Leadership Positions in Public Secondary Schools in Dodoma City, Tanzania.

The study investigated the factors affecting female participation in educational leadership positions in public secondary schools in Dodoma city. Using a mixed methods approach, 50 respondents were selected using stratified random, systematic, and purposive sampling techniques. Data was collected through questionnaires, interviews, focus group discussions, and documentary reviews. The study found that women's aspirations for leadership positions in public secondary schools vary, with factors like increased remuneration, leadership skills development, and improved performance. Factors affecting women's participation include negative societal perceptions, gender bias, and masculinity culture. To enhance women's participation, respondents suggested addressing socio-cultural perceptions, ensuring gender parity, developing training programs, and implementing strategies. The study suggests prioritizing gender balance in educational leadership, addressing negative perceptions of female teachers, and providing in-service training programs to enhance women's leadership skills and managerial experience. The study reveals that women's underrepresentation in Dodoma city's secondary school leadership positions is largely due to gender stereotypes, devaluation, and discrimination, perpetuating patriarchal systems. Keywords: Education Leadership, Leadership Positions, Gender, Perceptions, Factor

Factors Affecting Monitoring and Evaluation Practices in Local Government Projects: A Study of Toilets Construction in Government Primary Schools in Temeke Municipal Council, Dar es salaam Region.

Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) play a crucial role in the successful implementation of local government projects, ensuring accountability, efficiency, and sustainability. This study examines the factors affecting M&E practices in local government primary school, with a specific focus on toilet construction projects in Temeke Municipal Council, Dar es Salaam. The research highlights critical areas such as stakeholder involvement, resource allocation, capacity building, and institutional frameworks. The study used Institutional and Performance theories to help the researcher to gain a comprehensive understanding about M&E practice. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative data from 142 respondents. The findings revealed that effective M&E practices are significantly influenced by active stakeholder involvement (67.2%), adequate resource allocation (64.6%) and capacity building (40%). Also the findings reveal that while some progress has been made in establishing M&E frameworks, significant gaps persist, including inadequate financial resources, insufficient training, and lack of standardized data management systems. These challenges hinder effective M&E practices, leading to project delays and compromised outcomes. The study concludes and recommends that the Councils should strengthening capacity-building programs, ensuring transparent, adequate resource allocation, and enhancing stakeholder participation is essential for improving M&E effectiveness in local government projects. The recommendations provided aim to enhance M&E practices, ultimately contributing to improved service delivery and project sustainability in the education sector. Keywords: Monitoring and Evaluation, Local Government Projects, Toilets Construction, Primary Schools

Accessibility to Healthcare Services for Gender-Based Violence Survivors in Rural Areas of Tanzania: A Case of Kasulu District.

This study aimed to assess the accessibility of healthcare services for gender-based violence survivors in Kasulu District. This study was guided by three specific objectives, to identify the available healthcare service for GBV survivors, to explore the healthcare service-related challenges facing GBV survivors, to assess the impact of procedural challenges on the accessibility of healthcare services for survivors of GBV. The study was informed by the Ecological Systems Theory. Mixed method approach study designs were used. The sample size of 282 respondent were recruited in the study. The data were collected through Questionnaires, FGDs, and in-depth interviews. Quantitative data were analysed through SPSS while the qualitative data were analysed through the thematic analysis approach. The study findings revealed that 64% of GBV survivors accessed medical treatment, 36% accessed psychological counselling, and 31% accessed legal support. Key services provided include. These services are largely centralized at the One Stop Centre (OSC), a facility where survivors can access multiple forms of support within a single location. The study revealed significant challenges facing GBV survivors in accessing healthcare services; as lack of awareness of available services, financial barriers, understaffing, lack of enough medical equipment, long distance to the healthcare facilities, and long waiting times. The impact of these procedural challenge revealed that delayed access to care and the potential discouragement from seeking services altogether. Recommendations are made for government agencies, and other stakeholders to collaborate in creating a supportive environment that addresses the unique needs of survivors. Key words: Healthcare services, Gender based Violence, GBV Survivors

Role of Palm Oil Production in Poverty Reduction in Tanzania: Experiences from Smallholder Palm Oil Producers in Kigoma Region.

This study was set to examine the effect of palm oil production in poverty reduction in Tanzania among smallholders of palm oil. The study had the following objectives; to assess the palm oil production and social economic levels; to examine farmer‘s perception on importance of palm oil production; to evaluate the significance of income generated from palm oil production on smallholder‘s livelihood system. This study was a quantitative research study, the study used questionnaire as a tool of data collection. Data was collected from 112 respondents who were the smallholders of palm oil at Kigoma. The study used Microsoft excels to analyze data collected from the respondents. The finding of this study revealed that there are so many inadequacies that hinder the success of agriculture sector. Majority of civilian at Kigoma produce palm oil depend on it as the source of eradicating poverty in their communities. The study has discovered challenges such as; awareness of Agriculture Policy among the stakeholders of palm oil production, government support, credit services, agriculture knowledge, availability of water and sanitation, extension officers and agriculture inputs. The study has provided the following recommendations; the government should ensure proper implementation of the National Agriculture Policy (2013); the government should modify the budget given as a loan to agriculture sector. The government through its organs should organize and emphasize investors to finance on agriculture sector. The government should prepare educational programs to stakeholders of agriculture sector including palm oil producers and availability of extensions officers in every Region. Keywords: Oil Palm, Poverty Reduction, Smallholder, Poverty

The Contribution of Leadership Skills on Students’ Academic Performance of Public Secondary Schools in Tanzania.

These studies explore the contribution of leadership skills on students’ academic performance of public secondary schools in Mbinga town council. The specific objectives of the study were to identify the important leadership skills for effective students’ academic performance, to examine the implementation of leadership skills on students’ academic performance and to find out the challenges faced by school leaders in bringing positive changes in students’ academic performance. The study employed Pragmatism paradigm approach which incorporated both positivism and interpretivism approaches to gather and analyze information by applying data collection methods like; interviews, observations and questionnaires from ninety participants including, students, teachers, head of schools from four selected Public secondary schools, DSA, WEOs and the DEO. The information was analyzed quantitatively through descriptive research design and qualitatively through thematic analysis process. The study found that most of teaching staff do not know the concept of leadership skills and confuse it with leadership styles. Also, the implementation of leadership skills like Team work, Delegation of power, Open communication, Motivation, and Conflict Resolution in school is very low compared to what school heads know. Moreover, the study found that school heads are faced with some challenges which hinder them to work efficiently. Furthermore the study analyzed that; the biggest challenge lies within the school heads themselves by lacking the courage and assertiveness to apply the leadership skills they have. Finally, the researcher recommends school heads to be confident and apply basic leadership skills and need for regular leadership training for school heads and administrators to enhance their management skills. The government should also organize exchange forums of sharing experience and as well solve other challenges that cannot be solved by school heads. Key Words: Leadership, Leadership Skills, Students’ Academic Performanc

Determinants of Employee Performance in an Organization: A Case of Academic Institutions in Singida and Dodoma Regions.

This study assesses the factors influencing employee performance within public academic institutions in the Dodoma and Singida regions of Tanzania. Recognizing the critical role of employee performance in shaping institutional success, the research evaluates various factors influencing both retention and organizational performance. Using a mixed-method approach, primary data were gathered from 197 respondents across four public academic institutions, focusing on factors such as employee well-being, manager-employee relationships, career development opportunities, and employee engagement. Key findings indicate that employee satisfaction is high, with 73.61% of respondents reporting positive work experiences. Low absenteeism and turnover rates were also noted, with effective communication and recognition from supervisors significantly contributing to employee retention. The study reveals a strong correlation between career development opportunities and employee performance, with available training programs linked to higher faculty expertise. Furthermore, well-being factors such as work-life balance and stress management were closely associated with teaching quality and employee perfomance. The study emphasizes the importance of fostering supportive manager- employee relationships, providing ample career development opportunities, and recognizing employee achievements to enhance both retention and organizational performance. Recommendations include the implementation of well-being programs, leadership development initiatives, tailored career development strategies, and formal recognition systems. This study contributes to the literature on employee retention by offering insights applicable to public academic institutions, highlighting the critical need for targeted strategies to improve retention and overall institutional effectiveness

The Role of Community in Prevention of Street Children’s Phenomena in Dodoma City.

This study investigated the role of community in prevention of street children’s phenomena in Dodoma City. The specific objectives were to assess the community’s awareness on prevention of street children’s phenomena in Dodoma City, to assess the reasons for prevention of street children in Dodoma City, and to find out challenges facing community in prevention of street children’s phenomena in Dodoma City. The study used a mixed approaches and descriptive research design. Data was collected through questionnaires and interviews methods. The sampling procedure used in this study were both Probability Sampling and Non-Probability while data analyzed by using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) computer software version 28.0, and Microsoft Excel software. The theoretical bases for this study included Structural Functionalist Theory developed by Emile Durkheim. The study recruited 92 subjects as its sample size. The findings show that 42% of the respondents were informed of the factors contributing to streetism, and 22% of respondents cited the community's responsibility in combating the stigma. Adding on, 36% of respondents were aware of the reasons causing streetism. The phenomena of streetism waters down the dignity of child’s welfare, hence multiple measures should be used to counteract the problem. Study recommends for the government and community to work together to end the problem of streetism

Impact of Conservation Benefit-Sharing Incentive on Wildlife Conservation in Tanzania: A Case of Local Communities Living Adjacent to Rungwa Game Reserve.

This study investigated the impact of conservation benefit-sharing incentives on wildlife conservation among communities living near Rungwa Game Reserve in Tanzania. Employing a cross-sectional design, it utilized both qualitative and quantitative methods. Data were collected from 338 randomly selected households and seven purposively selected key informants. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, while qualitative data underwent content analysis. The findings revealed that local communities generally had a positive perception of conservation benefit-sharing projects. Household participation was high during the identification stage of projects but declined significantly during planning, implementation, and management phases. Rungwa Game Reserve engaged communities through mechanisms such as conservation meetings (mean score 4.24), beekeeping (mean score 4.18), and tree planting (mean score 3.76). These initiatives played a crucial role in raising conservation awareness, supporting anti-poaching measures, and contributing to habitat restoration. Implementing benefit-sharing projects significantly influenced community participation in conservation activities. In conclusion, the local communities near Rungwa Game Reserve are supportive of conservation benefit-sharing initiatives and that the strategies used by the reserve were effective in enhancing community engagement. The study recommends reviewing the legal framework regulating the distribution of monetary benefits among local communities surrounding game reserves to ensure more inclusive and equitable participation in conservation efforts. Keywords: Conservation Benefit Sharing, Wildlife Conservation, Local Communities, Game Reserve, Wildlife Conservation

Assessment of Determinants Contributing to Poor Academic Performance of Students in Community Secondary Schools in Musoma District Council, Tanzania

The study aimed to determine factors contributing to poor academic performance in community secondary schools in Musoma District Council, Tanzania. It investigated the effects of infrastructure, distances between households and schools, and family backgrounds on student performance. The research employed a positivist paradigm, emphasizing a measurable reality. A quantitative approach with a descriptive research design was used. A probability sampling technique, specifically simple random sampling, selected 384 participants from teachers, students, and community members. Data collected through questionnaires enabled numerical analysis using graphs, tables, and percentages. Findings indicated several factors contributing to poor academic performance. Inadequate infrastructure hindered academic activities, impacting performance. Long distances between households and schools affected attendance and punctuality. Family backgrounds, characterized by conflicts, reduced students' concentration, leading to poor performance. These insights highlight students' challenges, emphasizing the need to address infrastructural deficiencies, improve school accessibility, and support vulnerable students. The study recommends targeted interventions to create a supportive educational environment by improving infrastructure, such as building hostels, to mitigate the effects of long commutes on concentration, motivation, and performance. Keywords: Poor academic performance, Inadequate infrastructure, Long distances to school, Challenging family backgrounds