The Impact of Women Economic Group Conflicts on the Development of their Projects: The Case of Women in Kinondoni Municipality

The purpose of this study was to assess the relationships among women and their impact on the success of their economic projects. The objectives of the study were to identify the economic activities run by women in groups based on friendship relations, investigate the relationship that prevails among women in running group economic activities, and to assess the effects of such conflicts on their economic group projects. The target group was the petty business women in Kinondoni municipality. This was a case study research which used both qualitative and quantitative data. Identification of study population was done using non-probability sampling procedures, especially through purposive and snowball sampling procedures. Methods used to collect data included face-to-face interview, focus group discussions for qualitative data while questionnaire administration with closed ended questions was used to collect quantitative data. Both content and SPSS statistical programme were used to analyze data. The findings indicated that, women are mostly involved in unsatble relationships with each other in their groups. It was also revealed that, women are involved in different economic group projects which, in principle, are expected to be of significant contribution to their economic empowerment. However, group members find themselves in conflicts and confrontations which weaken their relationships and consequently affect the economic growth of their projects. There is need to train women to work in groups through education and life skills and to orient them on how to manage their conflicts rationally and amicably

Swahili technical terminology: problems of development and usage in Kenya

It is a fact that modern science and technology from the west has reached Africa through European languages. Historically, these languages have also served as the vehicles of formal education in Africa to the exclusion of Swahili and other local languages. The deficiency of African languages such as Swahili in scientific and technical registers is both artificial and historically understandable. Secondly, it is easily remediable given that the basic core of the said vocabulary is shared and international in nature (Alexandrie, 1961 ). Therefore such a deficiency should present no barrier to Swahili serving as a medium of instruction in higher education. Whereas English, German and French can boast of self-sufficiency in literature in all fields of study, Swahili is a relatively much younger language of education and lacks literature even in the most basic aspects of the language itself. This situation often forces lecturers in the universities teaching Swahili to undertake `translation´ of concepts or even loan words in order to communicate with their students. Therefore, quite often, lecturing in the Swahili medium entails being able to translate from English into Swahili because most of the material to be taught is sourced from English original publications. As far as the use of Swahili in teaching natural sciences and other technical subjects at the tertiary level is concerned, Chimera (1998) suggests that this should be done gradually as the language grows and develops in its technical domains. If Swahili is to develop and modernise, it has to be more liberal in expanding its technical and scientific domains. The two registers should more or less be of comparable size as is the case with English (Chimera 1998: 37). However, the question that naturally arises here is, how is this ideal to be achieved? Perhaps, by deciding to teach linguistics and literature in Swahili, East African universities want to face the terminological challenge and solve the problems as they occurred. After decades of experimenting, the time has come for all stakeholders to come to terms with the problem

Factors Affecting Community Participation in O and OD Planning and Implementation Approach among Cattle Keepers in Mbeya Region in Tanzania: The Case of Kyela District

The purpose of the study was to assess community participation in O andOD planning process and to explore factors which affect effective implementation of development activities in Kyela District. Various projects were implemented in the district through the O and OD planning approach in the district. The study selected cattle dipping as one of the projects implemented which showed great success at start but later dropped in number of cattle taken for dipping. The trend led to the need to investigate the causes for this drastic change. The objectives were to determine procedure in O and OD planning, investigate the factors that led to the drastic drop in number of cattle taken for dipping, and to establish the measures taken by the district leadership in addressing the problems. Data was obtained by interviewing 90 cattle keepers and 18 district and community leaders while secondary information was obtained through reading various documents. The methods used to collect data were through Focus Group Discussion, Participatory Rural Appraisal, Observation and interview. Both Qualitative through content analysis and Quantitative through univariate analysis were applied in data analysis. The findings indicated that, 84% of cattle keepers were involved in the O and OD project process. A management committee was elected and trained to manage the project and funds from dipping fee to meet costs for the dip maintenance. Challenges experienced included long distances of walking to the dips, poor management of funds, lack of subsidies for chemicals for dips which increased the dipping charges. Alternative measure taken was to use hand sprays by cattle keepers. It was further found out that, district leadership have not made follow up of the problems due to inadequate number of staff, lack of transport and funds to subsidize for the chemicals used in dips. It is recommended that, O and OD planning be applied in all the development projects as community members gain knowledge, skills and develop capacities in managing projects. This also creates a sense of ownership of the projects. District leadership should educate people continuously and monitor closely implementation of the projects to ensure success and sustainability of the projects.Key Words: O and OD Planning, Community Participation, Participatory Rural Appraisal, Cattle Dips, Capacities of Community in Managing Project

Cheating and Validity Concerns in Online Formative Assessments: Lessons from a Tanzanian Public University

The global shift towards online teaching, learning, and assessment, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, underscores the critical role of effective online assessment methods in ensuring educational success. While online formative assessments offer flexibility and accessibility, concerns persist regarding the authenticity and integrity of assessment results. This study explores the perceptions of university lecturers on the validity of online formative assessments and the strategies employed to enhance assessment integrity. A questionnaire with open and closed ended questions was used to collect data on the perceptions of lecturers on how cheating is evident in the online assessments. The data were analyzed using descriptive and content analysis. Findings reveal a mixed perception, with lecturers generally acknowledging the benefits of online assessments but expressing reservations about authenticity and integrity. Strategies employed include diverse question formats, time-related measures, and technological tools, yet challenges remain in ensuring effectiveness. Recommendations include enhancing question diversity, implementing plagiarism detection tools, and collaborating with regulatory bodies to standardize assessment practices, ultimately contributing to a robust and valid online assessment environment in Tanzanian universities

Sifa za Kimuundo Katika Diwani Huru ya Rangi ya Anga

Makala hii inalenga kuchambua na kutathmini sifa za kimuundo katika diwani huru ya Rangi ya Anga. Sifa za kimuundo ni muhimu katika kuudhibiti usomaji wa mashairi teule na kumwelekeza msomaji katika kuuelewa ushairi. Ijapokuwa tafiti nyingi zimefanywa kuhusu muundo katika mashairi, pana haja ya kuchambua sifa za kimuundo katika ushairi huru hasa diwani huru ya Rangi ya Anga. Utafiti huu ulitumia nadharia changamano: nadharia ya uhakiki ya umuundo na nadharia ya uhakiki wa kimtindo. Nadharia ya uhakiki ya umuundo iliasisiwa na Ferdinand De Saussure karne ya ishirini. Mawazo yake yaliendelezwa na Culler (1975) aliyeangazia umuundo katika ushairi. Alisisitiza kwamba ushairi ni ishara zinazojisimamia bila kudhibitiwa na mtunzi na ufasiri wa maana unatokana na namna vipengee vya kimuundo huchagizana kimaana. Kutokana na nadharia hii kutokuwa na urejelezi wa nje, nadharia ya uhakiki wa kimtindo ilitumika kufidia udhaifu huu. Utafiti huu uliongozwa na nadharia ya uhakiki wa kimtindo iliyoasisiwa na Coombes (1953) na kuendelezwa na Leech (1969). Mihimili mitatu ilitumika kuuongoza utafiti. Mathalan, viwango vya kimofolojia na kisintaksia ni msingi mkuu wa lugha unaodhibiti matumizi ya lugha, matumizi ya maumbo ya picha huonyesha umilisi wa mtunzi katika kuelezea hisia zake na vipashio mbalimbali vya muundo huingiliana na kujengana. Utafiti huu ulitumia sampuli ya kimaksudi kuteua diwani huru ya Rangi ya Anga (2014) kutokana na matumizi ya miundo tengemano na wepesi wa mawazo ya mtunzi. Uhakiki wa sifa za kimuundo ulizingatia sampuli ya kimaksudi ya mashairi teule, tasnifu, majarida na tahakiki. Data ya pili ilijumuisha mahojiano na mtunzi Kithaka wa Mberia. Matokeo ya data yaliwasilishwa kwa njia ya maelezo. Yalionyesha kuwa sifa za kimuundo ni za kimsingi katika utunzi wa mashairi teule, ujenzi wa wizani na kudhibiti usomaji. Utafiti huu unapendekeza wasomaji wa ushairi huru wazingatie sifa za kimuundo ili kuufasiri ujumbe ipasavyo.Makala hii inalenga kuchambua na kutathmini sifa za kimuundo katika diwani huru ya Rangi ya Anga. Sifa za kimuundo ni muhimu katika kuudhibiti usomaji wa mashairi teule na kumwelekeza msomaji katika kuuelewa ushairi. Ijapokuwa tafiti nyingi zimefanywa kuhusu muundo katika mashairi, pana haja ya kuchambua sifa za kimuundo katika ushairi huru hasa diwani huru ya Rangi ya Anga. Utafiti huu ulitumia nadharia changamano: nadharia ya uhakiki ya umuundo na nadharia ya uhakiki wa kimtindo. Nadharia ya uhakiki ya umuundo iliasisiwa na Ferdinand De Saussure karne ya ishirini. Mawazo yake yaliendelezwa na Culler (1975) aliyeangazia umuundo katika ushairi. Alisisitiza kwamba ushairi ni ishara zinazojisimamia bila kudhibitiwa na mtunzi na ufasiri wa maana unatokana na namna vipengee vya kimuundo huchagizana kimaana. Kutokana na nadharia hii kutokuwa na urejelezi wa nje, nadharia ya uhakiki wa kimtindo ilitumika kufidia udhaifu huu. Utafiti huu uliongozwa na nadharia ya uhakiki wa kimtindo iliyoasisiwa na Coombes (1953) na kuendelezwa na Leech (1969). Mihimili mitatu ilitumika kuuongoza utafiti. Mathalan, viwango vya kimofolojia na kisintaksia ni msingi mkuu wa lugha unaodhibiti matumizi ya lugha, matumizi ya maumbo ya picha huonyesha umilisi wa mtunzi katika kuelezea hisia zake na vipashio mbalimbali vya muundo huingiliana na kujengana. Utafiti huu ulitumia sampuli ya kimaksudi kuteua diwani huru ya Rangi ya Anga (2014) kutokana na matumizi ya miundo tengemano na wepesi wa mawazo ya mtunzi. Uhakiki wa sifa za kimuundo ulizingatia sampuli ya kimaksudi ya mashairi teule, tasnifu, majarida na tahakiki. Data ya pili ilijumuisha mahojiano na mtunzi Kithaka wa Mberia. Matokeo ya data yaliwasilishwa kwa njia ya maelezo. Yalionyesha kuwa sifa za kimuundo ni za kimsingi katika utunzi wa mashairi teule, ujenzi wa wizani na kudhibiti usomaji. Utafiti huu unapendekeza wasomaji wa ushairi huru wazingatie sifa za kimuundo ili kuufasiri ujumbe ipasavyo

Assessment of Social-Economic Impact of Road Construction Projects in Conserved Areas: Evidence from Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority in Tanzania

This study was aimed to assess the social-economic impact of road construction projects in Tanzania by using the evidence from Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The area has been reserved because of its importance in providing habitat to a number of wild animals. The study employed a case study design in which 98 respondents from Ngorongoro Conversation Area were involved. Data were collected by questionnaires and were analysed by using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) technique. The key findings of the study revealed that road construction projects have positive influence on both social and economic performance. .  Nevertheless, our study posits that social performance can mediate the relationship between road construction projects and economic performance. Our study offers practical and social implications by providing insights through empirical results about the debatable phenomenal on the importance of road infrastructure to the social-economic development of developing countrie

Special and Vulnerable Groups on Access, Success and Equity on Open and Distance Education in Tanzania: The Case of The Open University of Tanzania

Open and Distance Learning (ODL) assisted by the use of ICT, has proven to create significant opportunities for potential learners especially people with special needs including those living with disabilities and inmates to access higher education. ODL as a mode of instruction with the use of ICT can promote access to higher education for people with disabilities and those with special needs (the inmates). The concern is on whether the people living with disabilities and those with special needs have full access, success and equity to higher education despite the existing potentials for education. The use of ODL in higher learning institutions assisted by ICT proves to have a number of challenges especially when students with disabilities are involved in accessing and utilizing ICT, in particular the assistive technology like text-to-speech software, alternative keyboards and mice, and specialized software for students with learning disabilities. In-depth interviews were conducted to both students, academic and non academic staff from four OUT regional centres namely Kinondoni, Ilala, Morogoro and Iringa. Findings indicated that, there are various challenges in accessing education through ODL and related ICT facility due to high cost implications related to the establishment of assistive infrastructure for the students with disabilities for individual institutions to undertake; Inadequacy of personnel and especially academic staff trained to attend such students; lack of text-to-speech software, alternative keyboards and mice, and specialized software for the students; Inadequate funds to lay down the required infrastructure and related equipment. It is recommended the government and generous institutions to mobilize resources to fund the establishment of the infrastructure and purchase the related equipment to enable ODL with the use of ICT to effectively provide the education required by PLW and inmates as a human right to all. ODL through ICT can reach the unreachable in the remote areas for PLW including jailsKey Words: students with disabilities, open and distance learning, information and communication technology, access, equity and success, The Open University of Tanzani

Siasa, Uchumi na Ustawi wa Jamii: Mtazamo wa Kisemiotiki wa Ushairi wa Kivumba

Makala hii inachunguza nafasi ya ushairi katika kuzungumzia masuala ya kisiasa, kiuchumi, kijamii na kitamaduni pamoja na ustawi wa jamii kupitia ushairi wa Kivumba. Ili kukuza mjadala wetu, makala hii ilifafanua ishara na maana katika ushairi wa Kivumba kwa kutumia nadharia ya semiotiki kutumia misimbo ya Barthes. Lengo la mjadala wetu ni kubainisha ya kwamba, ushairi unaweza kuwa chombo mbadala cha kuzungumzia masuala yanayoikumba jamii kikamilifu. Makala hii inazingatia kauli kwamba, malighafi makuu ya fasihi simulizi ni jamii. Makala hii inajadili kwamba, sio rahisi kufasiri ishara na maana katika ushairi wa jamii yoyote nje ya mkutadha wa jamii yenyewe. Ili kuongoza mjadala huu, mjadala ulijikita katika ushairi wa Kivumba pekee kwa kutumia misimbo mitano ya Barthes. Ushahidi wote uliotegemewa katika mjadala wetu ni ule uliotokana na mifano iliyokusanywa kutoka nyanjani katika maeneo ambapo Kivumba kinazungumzwa nchini Kenya baina ya 1919-2020

Ikääntyvien turvallinen ja viihtyisä asuminen digitalisaatiota hyödyntämällä : Hyvinvointi ja terveys

Opinnäytetyön tavoitteena oli kerätä tietoa erilaisista laitteista, joita voitaisiin tulevaisuudessa käyttää hyödyksi, kun suunnitellaan ja rakennetaan ikääntyville turvallista ja viihtyisää asumista digitalisaatiota hyödyntämällä. Opinnäytetyössä selvitetään ikääntyvien ihmisten asumiseen liittyviä asioita hyvinvoinnin ja terveyden näkökulmasta. Peruslähtökohtana on, että ikääntyneet voivat toimia ja ohjata omaa elämäänsä mahdollisimman pitkään itsenäisesti. Teoriaosuudessa käydään läpi hyvinvoinnin ja terveyden perusajatuksia, geronteknologiaa, nykypäivän ikääntyneiden tietoja ja taitoja omaksua uutta tekniikkaa ja digitalisaatiota. Työosuudessa käydään läpi jo markkinoilla olevia ikääntyvien ja muistisairaiden ihmisten yksinasumista helpottavia laitteita ja palveluita. Opinnäytetyön lopussa pohditaan ja visioidaan tulevaisuuden näkymiä. Lopputuloksena on, että tunnistustekniikka, tiedonkeräys ympäristöstä, kodinkoneiden etäohjaus ja älytekniikka ovat kasvamassa suuressa määrin tulevaisuudessa.The purpose of this thesis was to gather information about different types of equipment that could be used when designing safe and comfortable living by exploiting digitalisation. This thesis was pondered from the viewpoint of the comfort and health of the elderly. The basic idea was that the elderly could be in charge of their own life as long as they want. The theory part of this thesis contains basic knowledge of comfort and health, gerontechnology, the knowledge and skills of the elderly concerning new technology and lastly digitalisation. The main part of this thesis contains different types of equipment and services that could help the elderly to live better on their own. In the end of this thesis there is envisioning about the future of technology. The conclusion was that the use of identification technology, data gathering from the environment, remote controlling of the household machines and intelligent technology are going to grow significantly in the future

Sera ya Lugha na Mabadiliko ya Kimaudhui ya Ushairi wa Kiswahili kati ya Miaka 1930 hadi 1960 nchini Tanzania

Makala hii inachunguza jinsi sera ya lugha ya kipindi cha ukoloni ilivyochochea mabadiliko ya kimaudhui ya ushairi wa Kiswahili kati ya mwaka 1930 hadi 1960 nchini Tanzania. Kulingana na makala hii hali ni matukio mahsusi yanayoathiri ubunifu wa maudhui ya ushairi. Ili kukuza mjadala wetu, makala hii imezingatia sera ya lugha ya kipindi cha utawala wa Wajerumani na Waingereza. Uchunguzi unazingatia mashairi teule kutoka diwani za watunzi wafuatao: Mathias Mnyampala, “Diwani ya Mnyampala (1965)”, Amri Abedi, “Sheria za Kutunga Mashairi na Diwani ya Amri (1954)”,  Akilimali Snow-White, “Diwani ya Akilimali (1963)”, Shaaban Robert , “ Koja la Lugha (1969), Pambo la Lugha (1966), Kielezo cha Fasili (1968), na Masomo Yenye Adili (1967)”, na Saadani Kandoro, “Mashairi ya Saadani, (1966)”. Mashairi yaliyoteuliwa yanasomwa na kuhakikiwa ili kubainisha maudhui yaliyomo. Uchanganuzi wa data unaongozwa na mihimili ya Nadharia ya Utegemezi na Nadharia ya Ubidhaaishaji wa Lugha. Katika mashairi teule, inabainishwa namna washairi walivyotetea na kuinua hadhi ya lugha ya Kiswahili kwa kueleza sifa na umuhimu wake katika ushairi wao. Pia, inadhihirishwa jinsi ushairi uliotungwa kwa Kiswahili sanifu ulivyotumiwa kama chombo cha umma cha kujieleza kwa kupigania haki, usawa, na uhuru pamoja na kuwahimiza wananchi wakae kwa amani, udugu na heshima