HURIA JOURNAL OF THE OPEN UNIVERSITY OF TANZANIA

Assessment of Teachers’ Awareness and Utilization of Community Resources for Teaching and Learning Biology in Kwara Central, Nigeria

2026-01-09T10:28:08+00:00

One of the problems affecting the effective teaching and learning of biological concepts is lack of mass. This problem could be remediated with the use of resources within students’ communities. Hence the need to explore biology teachers’ awareness and utilization of community resources in senior secondary schools in Kwara Central, Nigeria adopting the mixed-method approach. The research utilised a survey design for the quantitative aspect, sampling 271 biology teachers through simple random techniques, and thematic analysis of interviews with 42 purposively selected participants for the qualitative aspect. Data collection instruments included a validated structured questionnaire, “Biology Teachers’ Awareness and Utilisation of Community Resources (BTAUCR),” and an open-ended interview guide. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, and ANOVA, while qualitative data underwent thematic analysis with NVivo 12.0. Findings revealed that biology teachers were most aware of accessible community resources like nature centres (56.1%), zoological gardens (57.6%), and professional guest speakers (60.9%), while awareness of specialised resources, such as seed banks (35.1%) and ranches (34.7%), was limited. Utilisation patterns showed frequent use of resources such as professional guest speakers (M=2.18) and nature centres (M=2.11), while biological libraries (M=1.67) were underutilised. The interviews enriched these findings, highlighting diverse challenges and benefits associated with integrating community resources into teaching.

Examining the Impact of Female-Headed Households on Learning Achievements in Tanzanian Secondary Schools

2026-01-09T11:12:10+00:00

Families led by women frequently encounter various financial and social challenges. As a result, children in these households often face significant barriers to accessing quality education, particularly at the secondary school level. This study investigates the impact of Female-Headed Households (FHHs) on learning achievements, drawing on gendered household dynamics and child learning theory. The study employed Ordinary Least Squares regression analysis using school GPAs of 1,049 randomly selected schools of mainland Tanzania. The findings indicate that the growing number of female-headed households (FHHs) generally promotes better learning outcomes in secondary schools, especially in rural areas where community involvement and work-life balance are more supportive. The results indicate that educated FHHs play an important role in maintaining academic success in children's education. However, this positive impact diminishes as FHH prevalence increases. Furthermore, the findings suggest that urban FHHs encounter challenges in improving their children's educational progress, emphasising the impact of financial pressures and restricted time for educational engagement. Thus, the findings underscore the need for broader support systems to sustain student achievement across various settings. The study recommends for support networks that empower women economically and socially, implement policies for targeted interventions including community education as well as promoting community engagement and school-parent relationships for strengthening educational outcomes.

Endurance and Change: The Historical Trajectory of Agricultural Marketing Cooperatives Under Four Decades of Economic Reforms in Tanzania (1984 – 2024)

2026-01-09T11:21:32+00:00

This study critically examines the long-term development trajectory of Agricultural Marketing Cooperative Societies (AMCOS) in Tanzania across four decades of economic reforms (1984–2024). Although several studies have documented discrete phases of cooperative change, there remains a limited longitudinal, integrated analysis that systematically traces patterns of endurance, adaptation, and institutional transformation over extended reform periods. The study was motivated by persistent policy uncertainty on whether economic reforms have strengthened or undermined the sustainability of AMCOS, and what lessons can be drawn to inform contemporary cooperative policy and practice. Using a systematic documentary review of policy frameworks, academic literature, and institutional reports, the study analyses AMCOS performance across four reform phases: Structural Adjustment Programmes of the 1980s; market liberalisation and cooperative autonomy in the 1990s; renewed cooperative reforms in the early 2000s; and contemporary reforms of the 2010s–2020s. The findings reveal a cyclical pattern of institutional weakening and renewal. The SAPs period reduced state support and weakened organisational capacity; liberalisation enhanced autonomy but exposed governance and financial management deficiencies; early 2000s reforms improved performance through renewed state support, but reinforced dependency risks; and recent reforms introduced digital governance innovations and expanded market access but revealed persistent regulatory and digital adoption gaps. The study contributes new knowledge by providing a consolidated longitudinal framework that connects policy shifts with institutional responses and organisational outcomes of AMCOS over time. It offers evidence-based insights for designing balanced cooperative policies that combine institutional autonomy, governance strengthening, sustainable financing, and digital transformation to enhance the long-term resilience of agricultural cooperatives in Tanzania.

Impact of Local Government Authorities’ Development Budget on Project Performance in Tanzania: A Case of Muheza District Council

2026-01-09T11:32:36+00:00

The study examined the impact of Local Government Authorities’ (LGAs) development budgets on project performance in Tanzania, with a specific focus on Muheza District Council. A descriptive research design was employed, and 64 respondents were selected through purposive sampling. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression in SPSS Version 27.0 to determine the effects of project planning, project management, budget allocation, and budget utilisation on project performance. The findings revealed that project planning, project management, and budget allocation each had a significant positive effect on project performance, contributing to improvements of 75%, 55%, and 65% respectively. Conversely, budget utilisation was found to have an insignificant influence on project performance. These results underscore the importance of comprehensive planning, effective managerial practices, and timely budget allocation in enhancing the performance of development projects, while inefficiencies in budget utilization continue to present challenges. The study contributes to the literature on public administration and development planning by providing insights that can assist policymakers in strengthening resource allocation, project planning, and management within LGAs to improve project outcomes.

A Framework for Assessing Adoption of Emerging Technologies in Oil Distribution Networks in Tanzania: The Case of TANOIL and PUMA Energy

2026-01-09T11:42:49+00:00

The adoption of emerging technologies is critical for enhancing operational efficiency, competitiveness, and sustainability in the oil distribution sector. In Tanzania, oil distribution companies face challenges related to technological readiness, organizational capacity, and environmental support, which affect their ability to integrate innovations. This study aimed to evaluate the technological, organizational, and environmental factors influencing the adoption of emerging technologies in Tanzania’s oil distribution sector, and to develop an integrated framework to guide effective technology adoption. Data were collected from two major oil distribution companies, TANOIL and PUMA, using structured questionnaires. Data were analysed by using descriptive statistics, correlation and multiple regression. The results indicate that technological and organizational context have positive and significantly influence on adoption emerging technologies. Contrary, environmental factors showed a positive but insignificant influence on adoption emerging technologies. The study concludes that the adoption of emerging technologies in Tanzanian oil distribution sector is primarily driven by technological and organizational factors, while environmental does not motivate oil distribution companies to adopt new technologies. To enhance adoption, the study recommends that policymakers strengthen supportive regulations and industry incentives, while companies invest in internal capacity-building to fully leverage emerging technologies.

Structural and Political Barriers to Effective Enforcement at the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights

2026-01-09T11:53:42+00:00

The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (AfCHPR) was established in 2004 and commenced operations in 2006 with a mandate to interpret and apply the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and other relevant human rights instruments. Nearly two decades later, persistent non-compliance with its judgments, the limited number of states granting direct individual access, and structural weaknesses in enforcement mechanisms continue to undermine its effectiveness. This article interrogates these challenges from the perspective of defence counsel practising before the Court, situating the analysis within the institutionalist theory of international law, which posits that strong, rule-bound institutions are necessary to ensure compliance. Drawing on case law—including Ogiek v. Kenya, Ally Rajabu v. Tanzania, and Konaté v. Burkina Faso—and recent implementation data, the article argues that the Court’s legitimacy and impact are contingent on both political will and institutional reform. It proposes a set of concrete reforms to enhance compliance, improve access, and strengthen the Court’s role in advancing human rights protection in Africa.

Assessment of the Vulnerability of Residential Areas to Floods in Mabatini Ward in Mwanza City Council, Tanzania

2026-01-09T11:57:20+00:00

Foreign Remittance and Economic Growth in Nigeria: An Empirical Survey

2026-01-09T13:33:48+00:00

In this research, an empirical survey was done to evaluate the link between international remittances and economic growth using Nigeria as our case of interest. The link between international remittances inflow, foreign portfolio investment, foreign direct investment, and economic growth of Nigeria was extensively analysed. The survey research design was chosen and employed for this specific inquiry. In this research, the Nigerian economy functioned as the population of interest. Between the years 1990 and 2022, a total of 33 years were covered by the data that was acquired. The Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS) was then employed in order to conduct the analysis on the data that was received, and the tool that was utilised was EViews 9. According to the results of the research, there is a strong positive association between the inflow of international remittances, foreign portfolio investment, foreign direct investment, and economic progress in Nigeria. According to the findings of the study, the Nigerian government and its policymakers should take into consideration the possibility of harmonising the nation's economic policies in order to better stimulate and facilitate international remittances, foreign portfolio investment, and foreign direct investment. They should encourage, diversification in sources of foreign investment, implement initiatives that enhance financial inclusion, making it easier for remittances to reach a broader population and have a more widespread impact and invest in infrastructure projects that can leverage foreign direct investment for economic development.

Is traditional medicine controversial in Africa? A critical review

2026-01-09T13:50:11+00:00

Traditional medicine (TM) remains an essential component of healthcare in Sub-Saharan Africa, where up to 80% of the population relies on it for primary care. Deeply rooted in cultural beliefs and local health practices, TM continues to play a significant role in disease prevention and treatment. Several African countries are working to integrate TM into national health systems, recognizing its accessibility, affordability, and alignment with community values. This critical review examined whether TM is indeed contentious in the region. Using literature sourced from Google Scholar, PubMed, and African Journals Online, the review thematically analyzed data from academic publications, books, and institutional reports. Findings reflect an imbalanced debate. Supporters emphasize TM’s contribution to universal health coverage, its holistic approach, use of indigenous resources, and reported effectiveness in areas such as maternal and mental health. High utilization, especially in rural and underserved populations, underscores its continued relevance. However, critics point out the limited scientific validation, safety concerns, regulatory weaknesses, and difficulties in standardization and formal integration on the use and development of TM. Additional issues include inadequate practitioner training, environmental pressures on medicinal plants, and risks linked to commercialization. Overall, the debate stems from tension between TM’s cultural importance and unresolved concerns about evidence, safety, and sustainability

Young Adults’ Perception of Peacebuilding System for Sustainable Development and Security

2026-01-09T13:56:18+00:00

There have been concerted efforts from government at all levels, international bodies and other peacekeeping agencies all over the world, in Africa which include Nigeria. The perceived aggressors and agitators are the young adults who are now contrarily seen as change agents if involved in peacebuilding. This paper sought to examine the significant basis of the young adult’s perception of peacebuilding system for sustainable development. The study employed a descriptive survey research design; a research question was answered and three hypotheses tested using 1,830 participants from different parts of the country. A validated instrument tagged Young Adults’ Peception Questionnaire (ALESDLQ; r=0.93) was used for data collection in the study. Data obtained were analysed using descriptive statistics of simple percentage, mean, standard deviation and inferential statistics of t-test and ANOVA. The findings revealed that there is significant difference in young adults’ perception (mean=1.24). Besides, these findings were gender sensitive (t (1,1726) =-0.03; p=0.95>0.05); age biased (F(2,1727)=0.45; p=0.61>0.05) and educational attainment (F(2,1727)=0.05; p=0.95>0.05) different. Young adults’ perception was discussed and it was recommended among others that full multi-sector programmes that target youth in specific areas of activity, such as employment creation and/or peacebuilding projects should be encouraged. It is therefore recommended that this group should be better catered for and included in peacebuilding.

Matumizi ya Akiliunde Katika Kutafsiri Matini za Kiutamaduni: Changamoto na Suluhisho

2026-01-09T13:59:57+00:00

Makala hii inahusu matumizi ya Akiliunde (AI) katika kutafsiri matini za kiutamaduni kwa kuangazia changamoto na suluhisho. Katika kipindi cha sasa cha maendeleo ya sayansi na teknolojia, kumekuwepo na mapinduzi makubwa katika mbinu za kurahisisha kazi mbalimbali za binadamu, ikiwemo kazi ya tafsiri. Miongoni mwa mbinu hizo ni matumizi ya Akiliunde ambayo imekuwa nyenzo maarufu ya kutafsiri matini katika lugha mbalimbali duniani. Hata hivyo, pamoja na ufanisi wake wa kiteknolojia, kuna maswali muhimu yanayojitokeza: Je, Akiliunde inaweza kutafsiri kwa ufanisi matini zenye maudhui ya kiutamaduni? Ni changamoto zipi zinazojitokeza katika matumizi hayo ya Akiliunde? Makala hii imelenga kuchunguza changamato za kutumia Akiliunde kutafsiri matini za kiutamaduni kutoka Kiswahili kwenda Kiingereza. Lengo ni kubainisha matini za kiutamaduni, kuchambua changamoto zinazojitokeza katika mchakato wa kutafsiri matini hizo kwa kutumia Akiliunde, na kupendekeza suluhisho la changamoto hizo. Data za makala hii zilikusanywa kwa kutumia mbinu ya usomaji makini na mbinu ya usaili nusu-funge. Data za makala hii zimewasilishwa kwa kutumia mkabala wa kitaamuli. Nadharia ya Skopos imetumika kama mwongozo wa uchunguzi, uchambuzi na uwasilishaji na mjadala wa data za utafiti huu. Kwa ujumla, makala hii inadhihirisha kuwa ingawa Akiliunde inaweza kurahisisha kazi ya tafsiri, bado inakumbwa na changamoto kubwa katika kufanikisha mawasiliano yenye uzito wa kiutamaduni. Hii ni kwa sababu kila lugha huakisi utamaduni, mitazamo na muktadha wake wa kijamii na kihistoria, ambao si rahisi kutafsiriwa kwa usahihi na mashine bila msaada wa mfasiri binadamu.