Child Marriage among Maasai Girl Students in Tanzania: The Case of Kilosa District

This study explored the reasons for persistence of child marriage among Maasai girl-students in Tanzania. Three research questions guided this study, namely: Why does girl students’ marriage among the Maasai community of Tanzania continue to exist? What is the position of education stakeholders in protecting girls from child marriage? What strategies should be taken to address child marriage in the Maasai community? The study employed qualitative research approach where a case study design was used to explore the problem. It adopted interviews, focus group discussion and observations as research methods. Purposive and snowball sampling strategies were employed to get 39 participants who were involved in this study. Data were analysed qualitatively through thematic analysis strategies. The findings revealed that child marriage is still practiced in the Maasai community where the legible age for marriage of Maasai girls range from 6 to 15 years depending on the number of competing men and the economic status of the family of the boy or girl. Society members employ persuasion and pressure, transfer of students, pregnancy and corruption to enable marriage of Maasai girl students. In addition, the findings revealed that Maasai traditions and customs, fear of early pregnancies, corruption and irresponsibility of leaders, poverty and undervaluing of education are the factors contributing to persistence of child marriage among the Maasai girl students. The study recommends that the government in collaboration with other stakeholders should aggressively implement laws protecting children. A close monitoring of local leaders’ actions by top government leaders to help combating child marriage is also recommended. Moreover, joint efforts are needed to educate society members and girl-students on the negative impact of child marriage and the importance of girls’ education.

Does going abroad benefit my country? Views of highly skilled personnel from Sub Saharan Africa on brain drain-brain circulation

The debate on brain drain-brain circulation has been a long-lasting phenomenon of interest among educators in the field of education, in particular, international and comparative education. This long-lasting debate triggered us to rethink about the effects which the concept has on the source country as well as the destination country. The study explored the perceptions of Highly Skilled Personnel (HSPs) residing in Sub-Saharan Africa on HSPs mobility. Respondents for this study comprised of 43 Sub-Saharan African scholars. Data were collected into two phases. First, all the 43 respondents actively participated in a four-day Online Focused Group Discussion (OFGD) moderated by the researchers. The second phase involved online interviews with 12 members who also participated in the first phase. Findings indicated that the majority of respondents favoured brain circulation. This implies a significant shift from brain drain to brain circulation. The socio-economic and political contexts of countries where respondents came from influenced their responses. We suggest that in the current globalized world, instead of restricting HSPs mobility, Sub-Saharan African countries need to create attractive working environment as a means to retain the best talents and motivate those who left to come back. Furthermore, Sub-Saharan African countries must work with diaspora to improve knowledge and business networks that will enable these countries to improve their economies thereby compensating the cost incurred in educating mobile talents. Finally, brain drain-brain circulation agenda should not be viewed in isolation rather as multidimensional in nature due to its overarching countless influencing factors.

Kiswahili Katika Taathira ya Kihistoria na Mielekeo ya Kisiasa kama Lugha ya Kufundishia

Makala hii inahusu Kiswahili katika taathira ya kihistoria na mielekeo ya kisiasa kama lugha ya kufundishia elimu ya juu hapa nchini Tanzania. Makala hii inaeleza mambo yanayosababisha mielekeo tofauti ya watu kuhusu upokezi na matumizi ya lugha ya Kiswahili kama lugha ya kufundishia elimu ya juu nchini Tanzania ili kushurutishaukubalifu wake. Baadhi ya masuala yanayochunguzwa ni yale yanayotiliwa shaka kuhusu uwezo wa lugha ya Kiswahili kumudu na kukidhi harakati za mahitaji ya kufundishia elimu ya juu, pamoja na kupitisha teknolojia mpya inayoinukia katika nyanja za sayansi nateknolojia. Aidha, makala hii inanuia kufafanua ukubalifu, pamoja na msingi wa mielekeo ya Watanzania kutoipatiakipaumbele lugha ya Kiswahili kama lugha inayoweza kukidhi mahitaji ya kufundishia elimu ya juu hapa nchini. Data za msingi katika makala hii zilipatikana maktabani kwa kudurusu nyaraka mbalimbali zilizohusiana na mada iliyolengwa. Mapitio ya nyaraka mbalimbali zilizotumika kushadidia data za msingi za mada iliyochunguzwa zilipatikana katika maktaba ya chuo kikuu cha Kikatoliki cha Ruaha iliyopoIringa. Makala hii inahitimisha kwamba lugha za kigeni na zile za kiasili zinaweza kuendelea kutumika pamoja katika ngazi zote za elimu ili kuziwezesha kutekeleza vema dhima zake.

The Challenges Facing the Management of Immigration in Tanzania and Zambia: A case of Tunduma and Nakonde

Immigration is a global development issue impacting on the development trajectories of all countries. Tanzania, for instance, has seen large numbers of illegal immigrants from Burundi, Zambia, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Somalia who flee their countries because of political unrest and economic difficulties. Consequently, illegal immigration has been increasing from time to time in Tanzania. This study examined the challenges facing the management of immigration in Tanzania. Specifically, the paper used both qualitative and quantitative approaches to explore the existence and flow of illegal immigrants, causes and the challenges facing the management of illegal immigration in Tanzania and Zambia. The study found the existence of illegal immigration between Zambia and Tanzania. The patterns of flow of illegal immigrants are mainly of Zambia to Tanzania. Such pattern is caused by sharing common and related languages, colonial legacies and trade. The challenges to controlling of illegal immigration include inadequate immigration personnel and immigration control equipment, poor cooperation between coercive apparatus and the civilians and the influx of large population of immigrants. The study concludes that addressing illegal immigration requires collaboration and cooperation between Tanzania and Zambia coercive apparatus and integrating the citizens who are living along the borders.

Uwi ni Sifa ya Ujumi wa Kiafrika? Mifano kutoka Diwani ya Mnyampala, Mashairi ya Saadan na Kivuli cha Mvumo

Uwi ni dhana ya kiujumi inayowatatiza watu wengi kwa sababu huko nyuma ujumi ulijulikana kama uzuri. Jamii mbalimbali ulimwenguni zina aina mbalimbali za ujumi. Afrika ina aina mahsusi za ujumi ambazo hutambulishwa na vipengele anuwai katika sanaa zake. Makala hii inaangazia uthibitisho wa kuwa uwi ni sifa ya kiujumi wa Waafrika. Aidha, data zilizotumika katika makala hii zimekusanywa kwa njia ya maktaba iliyohusisha usomaji wa vitabu, makala na tasnifu. Njia hii ilitumika kwa sababu ya kupata data za upili na kubaini mapengo yaliyojitokeza katika tafiti zilizotangulia. Vitabu teuli ni vya mashairi kutoka diwani tatu ambazo ni Diwani ya Mnyampala ya Mathias Mnyampala, Mashairi ya Saadan ya Saadan Kandoro na Kivuli cha Mvumo ya Rashid Mfaume yamehusishwa kama rejea kuthibitisha kuwa uwi ni sifa ya ujumi wa Waafrika. Nadharia ya Unegritudi inayokitwa katika mikabala ya Kiafrika, ndiyo iliyoongoza mjadala wa matokeo wa makala hii. Imethibitika kuwa uwi ni kitu cha kiujumi hivyo kinapaswa kumakinikiwa kwa namna iliyo sawa na uzuri.

The Swahili Noun Phrase in its Sentential Aspect

This paper articulates the syntactic properties of nouns in Swahili in relation to functional projections which are associated with both concord in determiner phrases and agreement in inflectional phrases. With regards to realisation of syntactic properties in Bantu noun phrases, three claims had been suggested based on different approaches, vis-à-vis the use of pre-prefix to denote discourse-based information about (in)definiteness, indication of phi-features in minimalist syntax by using the nominal prefix, and determination by demonstratives and possessives as supported by head proximity principle. Findings from Swahili texts point towards the fact that bare nouns receive either definite interpretation or indefinite reading depending on the context of communication. Therefore, the definite–indefinite distinction is not provided by physical linguistic materials, but by discourse-based contexts. Even when a demonstrative and/or possessive is used, it is the context of communication which situates the specific referent rather than the lexical entities. Findings indicate that the choice between demonstratives and possessives in determinations of Swahili NPs is also context bound.

Mustakabali wa Kiswahili kama Lugha ya Kufundishia Nchini Tanzania: Uhakiki wa Maudhui ya Sera ya Elimu na Mafunzo ya 2014

Msingi wa makala haya ni “Sera ya Elimu na Mafunzo” (SEM, 2014). Makala yanahakiki nafasi ya lugha ya Kiswahili kwenye Sera ya Elimu na Mafunzo nchini Tanzania na mustakabali wake kwenye mfumo wa elimu kama lugha ya kufundishia. Mbinu iliyotumika ni ya maktabani ambapo mwandishi alisoma na kuhakiki maudhui ya SEM msisitizo ukiwa kwenye masuala yahusuyo lugha ya kufundishia. Uchambuzi wa kiisimujamii ulitumika ili kuonesha ukinzani baina ya matamko ya SEM. Tamko la SEM kuhusu lugha ya Kiswahili kama lugha ya kufundishia haliakisi hali halisi. Uhusiano wa Kiisimujamii wa lugha ya Kiswahili na ya Kiingereza kuhusu elimu unatoa tafsiri kuwa endapo SEM itatumika bila nia ya dhati ya kuisaidia lugha ya Kiswahili basi lugha hiyo inaweza kutoweka kabisa kwenye mfumo wa elimu kama lugha ya kufundishia. Makala yanajenga hoja kuwa tamko la SEM kwamba Kiingereza na Kiswahili ziwe na hadhi sawa kwenye mfumo wa elimu linatia moyo kwa mustakabali wa lugha ya Kiswahili lakini utekelezaji wake unaibua changamoto nyingi kwa namna ambayo zisipotazamwa kwa makini lugha ya Kiingereza itaendelea kukita mizizi zaidi na kujenga uwezekano wa jamii kukataa kufundishwa kwa lugha ya Kiswahili kwa sababu mwelekeo wa jamii unanasibisha elimu na Kiingereza. Mwisho, wito unatolewa kwa watunga sera kusitisha kutumia lugha ya wachache kutoa elimu kwa wengi kwa kuwa kufanya hivyo ni kubadili malengo ya elimu.

Emerging Street Youth Violent Groups in Musoma: What is the Role of Individual Parents’ Socio-Economic Status (SES)?

This study presents findings regarding violence among emerging street youth violent groups in Musoma, Tanzania using a total sample of 94 (M = 20.02 years, SD = 4.05) respondents purposefully selected from four violent groups. Specific objectives included: examining the variation in violence involvement among the violent groups; establishing the level of relationship between individual parents’ SES and the level of violent behaviour among the members of the violent groups; and examining to determine if individual parents’ SES is a significant predictor of the development of violence among members of the violent groups. Findings revealed higher level of involvement in violent behaviours among groups (M = 70.85, SD = 11.14). The ANOVA results indicated a statistical significant difference [F (3, 90) = 6.035, p = 0.001] in the mean scores of the level of involvement in violent behaviour among the violent groups comprised of members drawn from different socio-economic status. The contribution of parents’ socio-economic status (SES) on individual’s violent behaviours measured by multiple regression analysis was weak (R² =.112, p =.161). Thus, parents’ SES is a weak and non-statistical significant predictor for individual’s involvement in violence and violent acts. Thus, immediate intervention programmes such as establishment of rehabilitation centres and counselling services is recommended.

Maasai Girls’ Education Aspirations and Socio-Cultural Constraints: Reflections from Monduli Tanzania

The paper aimed to explore the Maasai girls’ education aspirations and the social cultural constraints they face in their effort towards acquiring formal education in Monduli, Tanzania. Capability Approach (CA) was used to guide the understanding of girls’ education aspirations. The study employed ethnographic research design by involving 30 participants across the community, including elders, parents, traditional leaders, children (school and out-of-school) and the district education officer. Participant observations and ethnographic interviews were used to collect data for a period of three months. Data were analysed thematically. As a result, the study revealed that girls and some other members in the Maasai society had positive views about girls’ education. Girls had education aspirations of acquiring specific careers like being nurses, teachers and doctors. Their aspirations were, however, constrained by some traditional beliefs and practices such as early marriage, girls’ circumcision and esoto (a night dance between young girls and the Moran). These traditional beliefs made the Maasai girls’ aspirations unfulfilled as they slowly found themselves accustomed to these traditional arrangements while losing the ability to develop capabilities they would need to attain their education aspirations. The study, thus, argues that obstacles that hinder attainment of girls’ aspirations on education need to be eliminated from the community. Formal education should enhance girl’s agency in order to develop the capabilities they need for their social functioning.

Dhamira za Maandishi ya Kuta za Vyooni Jijini Dar es Salaam

Makala haya yanahusu dhamira za maandishi, hususani ya vyooni Jijini Dar es Salaam. Lengo ni kuangalia dhamira za maandishi hayo na nafasi yake kwa jamii. Katika uchambuzi tumetathmini ubunifu unaojitokeza katika maandishi hayo. Aidha, kwa kutumia mbinu za utafiti maktabani kama vile uchambuzi matini na mbinu za uwandani, tulipata data muafaka kuhusu suala la kiutafiti lililoshughulikiwa katika makala haya. Pia, tumedurusu maandiko mbalimbali yanayozungumzia dhamira katika maandishi yaliyoandikwa sehemu mbalimbali na namna lugha ilivyotumika kutoa mawasiliano. Aidha, tumetumia nadharia ya Elimu-mitindo ambayo ndiyo inayoongoza uchambuzi na mjadala katika makala haya. Hali kadhalika, kutokana na utafiti huu, imebainika kuwa dhamira zilizojitokeza zaidi ni zile zinazohusu maradhi, maarifa, maadili na dini. Ilibainika pia kuwa dhamira hizi zinaakisi muundo na mfumo wa maisha ya jamii husika. Kutokana na matokeo haya, imehitimishwa kuwa ubunifu uliopo kwenye maandiko ya vyooni unasawiri hali mbalimbali katika jamii kama vile mtazamo wa wanajamii kuhusu maana na umuhimu wa elimu, dini, maadili na utamaduni kwa ujumla. Hatimaye, katika makala haya tutaona jinsi lugha safihi (matumizi ya lugha yasiyo na adabu) inavyojitokeza katika maandishi ya vyooni.