THE DarTU JOURNAL OF HUMANITIES AND EDUCATION

The Influence of Social Media Marketing Tools on Youths’ Purchasing Decisions of ICT Devices in Dar Es Salaam

2026-08-06T12:53:43+00:00

This study assessed how youth-led social media marketing influences purchasing decisions for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) devices, guided by McLuhan’s media theory. It involved 150 respondents, i.e; 140 youths and 10 ICT device vendors. Data were collected via structured questionnaires (distributed via SMS, WhatsApp, and Instagram through Google Forms), interviews with vendors, and observation. Using a case study design and a mixed-methods approach, the findings indicate that respondents use social media daily. They further highlight its significant influence on youth purchasing decisions, with most using platforms to decide on ICT purchases; only a few reported otherwise. In conclusion, social media marketing profoundly impacts ICT device promotion among youth. Companies must establish a strong social media presence to benefit from this market. A strategic and creative approach can lead to remarkable success in the youth-driven ICT market, fostering growth and profitability. This underscores the importance of digital channels in modern marketing. The article provides actionable insights for youth and vendors, helping businesses effectively engage with the youth demographic in the evolving ICT marketing landscape.

Laissez-faire and Situational Leadership Styles as Determinants of Institutional Performance in Public Secondary Schools in Ikeja, Lagos State Nigeria

2026-08-06T13:18:56+00:00

The study was aimed at investigating laissez-faire and situational leadership styles as determinants of institutional performance in Ikeja. The purpose of the study was to determine the relationship between laissez-faire and situational leadership styles and institutional performance of public secondary schools in Ikeja Lagos State. The study adopted correlational survey research design. The population of the study consisted of 615 teachers from all he 36 senior secondary schools in Ikeja out of which 242 teachers were sampled using simple random sampling technique, The instrument for data collection was a researcher-structured questionnaire titled Leadership style and institutional performance questionnaire (LSIPQ). The instrument was validated by experts in the Faculty of Education. The reliability coefficient was determined using Cronbach Alpha approach and the reliability yielded 0. The research questions were answered using pearson product moment correlation coefficient. The hypotheses were tested using same. The findings indicated that there was a significant relationship between laissez-faire leadership style and institutional performance in public secondary schools in Ikeja. The findings also showed that there was no significant relationship between situational leadership style and institutional performance in public secondary schools in Ikeja. It was recommended that principals should give teachers the freedom to take initiatives and manage responsibilities independently, while ensuring that expectations and goals remain clear. It was also recommended that leadership programmes should be organized by the ministry of education to train principals on how to assess varying school contexts and respond appropriately to different situations for better institutional performance outcomes.

Uneven Voices: Gender, Narrative Authority, and the Global Public Sphere in Abdulrazak Gurnah’s Afterlives

2026-08-06T13:39:29+00:00

This study examines the unequal distribution of narrative authority within the global public sphere in Afterlives through the intersections of colonial history and gendered power relations. The objective of this study was to examine uneven voices: gender, narrative authority, and the global public sphere in Abdulrazak Gurnah’s Afterlives. The study is informed by Public Sphere Theory, Postcolonial Theory, and Feminist Theory, drawing on the works of Jürgen Habermas, Homi K. Bhabha, and Judith Butler. Using a qualitative textual analysis approach, the study analyzes themes of voice, silence, memory, identity, and representation within the historical context of German colonialism in East Africa. The findings reveal that colonial history shapes narrative authority by privileging dominant historical narratives while marginalizing subaltern voices and memories. The study further demonstrates that gendered power relations determine whose voices are recognized and legitimized, with female characters frequently subjected to silencing and restricted participation within patriarchal structures. In addition, the novel portrays characters negotiating fragmented identities and contested forms of belonging under overlapping colonial and patriarchal systems of power. The study also reveals that personal memory functions as a site of resistance against colonial erasure and patriarchal domination in the construction of historical consciousness. The study concludes that Afterlives challenges dominant historical narratives by foregrounding marginalized experiences and recovering suppressed memories within the global public sphere, thereby contributing to postcolonial literary scholarship on representation, power, and historical memory.

Sources and Channels Rural Communities Use to Access and Use Health Information on Schistosomiasis in Ukerewe District, Tanzania

2026-08-08T05:48:43+00:00

The main objective of this study was to assess sources and channels rural communities use to access health information on Schistosomiasis in Ukerewe District, Tanzania. The study adopted a convergent parallel design. The sample size for this study was 399. Multistage sampling was used to select 399 respondents, and purposive sampling was used to select 7 key informants. Interviews, focus groups, and questionnaires were used to collect data. SPSS version 29 was used for quantitative data analysis, while NVivo software version 9 was used to analyse qualitative data thematically. The findings indicate rural communities frequently access and use information on schistosomiasis through informal sources, such as family members, friends/peers, vijiwe vya kahawa, religious leaders, and village/local leaders. The study findings further revealed that the factors influencing their choice of information sources were ease of access, affordability, and availability. The findings further suggested that rural residents prefer information sources that do not require technical skills to use, are low-cost and are consistently accessible. Based on the findings, the study concludes that rural communities have diverse and unmet health information needs, driven by the use of informal sources that may provide misleading information. The study further concludes that these sources and channels are ineffective at disseminating information to rural communities. The study recommends that the government allocate sufficient funds to print and distribute leaflets, posters, and brochures to community members. The study further recommends that the government should establish medical libraries, expand internet access and improve mobile networks in rural areas.

Implementing the Revised Primary School Curriculum in Tanzania: Evidence from National Monitoring and Evaluation of Standard One and Three Teachers

2026-08-08T05:55:43+00:00

This study examines the early implementation of the revised curriculum in Standard One and Three based on the Revised Primary Education Curriculum that was introduced by the Government of Tanzania introduced in 2023 as part of comprehensive education reforms aimed at promoting competency-based and learner-centred education aligned with societal and labour-market needs. Using the national monitoring and evaluation data collected by the Tanzania Institute of Education, a mixed-method research design was employed, drawing on quantitative survey data from 622 primary school teachers across all regions of Tanzania Mainland. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data were thematically analysed. Findings indicate high levels of teacher commitment, widespread adoption of participatory and learner-centred pedagogical approaches, and generally positive perceptions of curriculum relevance and the effectiveness of teacher training. Most teachers reported adequate access to core curriculum documents, syllabi, and textbooks. However, several implementation challenges persist, including overcrowded classrooms, uneven distribution of supplementary learning materials, limited ICT infrastructure particularly in rural schools and difficulties in managing learner-centred approaches in large classes. The study concludes that although the revised primary education curriculum is pedagogically sound and positively received by teachers, its long-term effectiveness depends on sustained investment in educational infrastructure, teacher continuous professional development, ICT enhancement, and equitable distribution of learning resources. Policy-relevant recommendations are offered to strengthen curriculum implementation and improve learning outcomes nationwide.

Ujinsishaji wa Mwanaume katika Nyimbo za Bongo Fleva: Uwakilishi wa Uanaume, Utamaduni na Nguvu za Kijamii

2026-08-08T06:29:52+00:00

Makala hii inachunguza ujinsishaji wa mwanaume katika nyimbo za Bongo Fleva kupitia uwakilishi wa uanaume, mahusiano ya kijinsia, majukumu ya kijamii, uchumi, mapenzi na uanaume mseto unaojengwa na mwingiliano wa utamaduni wa Kiswahili, utandawazi na nguvu za kijamii. Utafiti uliongozwa na malengo matatu: kuchunguza namna uwasilishaji wa uanaume, mahusiano ya kijinsia na majukumu ya kijamii vinavyojenga ujinsishaji wa mwanaume katika nyimbo za Bongo Fleva; kuchambua namna uchumi, mapenzi na migogoro ya mahusiano vinavyojitokeza katika ujinsishaji na uwakilishi wa uanaume; na kuchunguza namna uanaume mseto unavyojengwa kupitia mwingiliano wa utamaduni wa Kiswahili, utandawazi na nguvu za kijamii katika nyimbo za Bongo Fleva. Aidha, utafiti uliongozwa na Nadharia ya Uanaume Hegemonia ya Connell na Messerschmid, Nadharia ya Utendaji wa Jinsia ya Butler, Nadharia ya Uwakilishi ya Hall pamoja na Nadharia ya Mseto wa Utamaduni ya Bhabha. Mkabala wa kimaelezo ulitumika pamoja na uchambuzi wa kimaudhui katika kuchambua nyimbo kumi za Bongo Fleva zilizochaguliwa kwa usampulishaji lengwa kutokana na uwezo wake wa kuwakilisha maudhui ya uanaume, mahusiano, mamlaka na changamoto za kijamii. Data za msingi zilipatikana kupitia usikilizaji wa nyimbo, uchambuzi wa mashairi na video za muziki kutoka majukwaa ya kidijitali, huku data za upili zikitokana na vitabu, makala za kitaaluma na nyaraka za maktaba. Matokeo yanaonesha kuwa mwanaume katika Bongo Fleva huwasilishwa kama mhimili wa familia, mtoa huduma na mwenye mamlaka, lakini pia kama mhanga wa maumivu ya kihisia, usaliti na shinikizo la kiuchumi na kijamii. Hivyo, muziki huu hujenga uanaume wa kimseto unaochanganya maadili ya ndani na ushawishi wa kimataifa. Makala hii inachangia mjadala wa jinsia na utamaduni kwa kuonesha kuwa uanaume ni eneo la mivutano, mabadiliko na ujenzi unaoendelea katika jamii ya kisasa.

Availability and Use of Electronic Security Technologies in University Libraries in Tanzania

2026-08-08T07:03:02+00:00

This study assesses the availability and use of Electronic Security Technologies (EST) among university libraries in Tanzania to protect library information resources, using the libraries of the University of Dar es Salaam, Mzumbe University, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, and the Institute of Accountancy Arusha as case studies. The study employed a convergent parallel research design and a mixed-methods research approach. It involves a sample of 196 respondents, particularly library staff, library directors, ICT directors, and IT personnel. These respondents were selected using a purposive sampling technique and a census method, respectively. The quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS, and the qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings revealed that CCTV cameras, electronic security gates, Radio Frequency Identification System (RFID), fire detection and suppression systems, and digital rights for e-resources are the most common types of electronic security technologies available. Library staff were aware of the availability of these electronic security technologies in their libraries. Despite high awareness among library staff of the availability and use of these ESTs, issues such as poor physical and operational conditions and insufficient training were identified. The study recommends frequent maintenance of ESTs, the procurement and enhancement of modern EST tools to improve the protection of library information resources, and training for library staff on the use of ESTs.

Reading Skills Acquisition among Adult Learners in Basic Education Programme in Lagos State, Nigeria

2026-08-08T07:20:28+00:00

This study investigated the constraints associated with reading skills acquisition among learners of Adult Basic Education Programmes in Lagos State, Nigeria. The descriptive research design was adopted for the study. The sample consisted of 546 respondents selected through simple random sampling from the six major zones of Lagos State. Data were collected using the Questionnaire on Constraints of Reading Skills in Adult Basic Education Programme with a reliability coefficient of 0.87 established through Cronbach Alpha. Descriptive statistics, t-test, and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were used for data analysis at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that major constraints affecting reading skills among adult learners included difficulties in pronunciation, comprehension, fluency, sentence construction, and age-related sensory impairments such as poor hearing and vision. The study also found no statistically significant gender difference in respondents’ perceptions of the constraints affecting reading skills among Adult Basic Education learners. However, a statistically significant age difference was found in respondents’ perceptions of the impact of reading skills on adult learners. Younger learners demonstrated more positive perceptions of reading skill development than older learners. The study concluded that reading skill challenges remain a major issue among adult learners in Lagos State. It was recommended that facilitators should possess adequate andragogical competence and adopt flexible instructional approaches that accommodate learners’ pace and learning needs.

Population Ageing, Lifelong Learning and Socio-Economic Development: Implication on Nigeria

2026-08-08T07:26:21+00:00

This study examines the impact lifelong learning can aid demographic phenomenon which is an inevitable global occurrence happening from country to country and from continent to continent to have on socio-economic development of the country Nigeria. It started in the nineteenth century in the developed countries with decline in death rate and increase in birth rate. The study adopted descriptive study of the survey type. Two research questions and four hypotheses were raised for the study. All participants who have profited from lifelong learning or in-service professional development activities in Lagos State made up the study's targeted group and 611 individuals were subsequently chosen from Lagos State's six main zones using the snowball technique. Experts Tests and Measurement Unit and the Department of Adult Education evaluated the study instrument to guarantee its validity. This was done to make sure that all of the component variables of the research questions and study hypotheses were sufficiently covered by the questionnaire items. Then, a pilot test of the 22-item instrument was conducted in Oyo state. Using Cronbach Alpha's measure, the instrument's reliability coefficient was determined, and the result was a reliability index of 0.91. Simple frequency count, simple percentage, mean, and standard deviation were used to produce answers to the research questions while t-test and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were used to evaluate the hypotheses at the 0.05 level of significance. This study has established that population ageing and lifelong learning is impactful to socio-economic development in Nigeria. Therefore, it is recommended among other things that government policies should be very effective at addressing the economic implications of population ageing.

Challenges Experienced by Free Pentecostal Church of Tanzania in the Provision of Healthcare Services in Tanzania

2026-08-08T07:30:16+00:00

The paper examines challenges experienced by Free Pentecostal Church of Tanzania (FPCT) in the provision of healthcare services in Tanzania. Unlike many mainline churches, FPCT represents one of the few Pentecostal denominations actively involved in healthcare delivery in Tanzania. A qualitative approach was employed, utilizing primary data collected from forty-one purposively selected participants aged between 20 and 60, and complimented by a secondary data obtained through an extensive documentary review. The data were thematically analyzed within the theoretical framework of structural functionalism and structuration theory which provided lenses for understanding interplay between institutional structures and agency in shaping FPCT’s healthcare practices. The findings reveal various challenges experienced in the provision of healthcare services in Tanzania including; the traditional healing practice, the infrastructural challenges and donor dependency and shift to localization. Overall the study offers valuable insight that contribute to strengthening FPCT’s healthcare initiatives, informing policymakers, guiding religious organizations and enriching scholarly and policy discourses on faith-based healthcare interventions in sub-Saharan Africa.