Progress of the Implementation of the Learner Centered Approach in Tanzania

  • Rwegasha Ishemo
Keywords: Implementation, Constructivist theory, Learner centered approach, Educational practices

Abstract

Many developing countries have adopted the learner centered approach to be employed during the teaching and learning process. The purpose was to implement the educational practices guided by the learner centered approach to improve teaching, learning, and performance of students. This paper discusses the development of various educational programs that are guiding educational practices in Tanzania. It describes the aims of these programs in supporting the educational provision. The execution of the learner centered approach encounters various challenges. The observation indicates challenges that have been affecting teachers, students, and the system of education. In addition, this paper explains the educational transfer and borrowing of educational programs from overseas. It describes the instructions and suggestions on how to make a quality curriculum and its implementation. It ends by presenting the suggestions of educators on how to improve the implementation of the learner centered approach in the Tanzanian context.

References

Alam, F., Alam, Q., Chowdhury, H., & Steiner, T. (2013). Transnational education: Benefits, threats and challenges. Procedia Engineering 56, 870-874.

Alexander, R.J. (2000). Culture and pedagogy: International comparisons in primary education. Oxford: Blackwell Publishers Ltd.

Barrett, A. M. (2007). Beyond the polarization of pedagogy: Models of classroom practice in Tanzanian primary schools. Comparative Education, 43, 273-294.

Block, L. S. (1984). National Development Policy and Outcomes at the University of Dar es Salaam. African Studies Review 27(1), 97-115.

Cobern, Wm, W. (1996). Constructivism and Non-Western science education research. International Journal of Science Education 4(3), 287-302.

Collin, A. (2019). A mentoring approach to learner centered education in Tanzania: a case from the grass roots (Thesis, Master of Education). The University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand.

Cosmas, D. (2019). Learner-centered approach in mathematics teaching and learning in Tanzanian secondary schools: a case of secondary schools in Mvomero District. Masters Makerere University Uganda.

Cowen, R. & Kazamias, A.M. (2009). International handbook of comparative education. London: Springer Science + Business Media.

de la Sablonnie`re, R., Taylor, D.M., & Sadykova, N. (2009). Challenges of applying a student centered approach to learning in the context of education in Kyrgyzstan. International Journal of Educational Development. doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2009.01.001

Doyle, T. (2008). Helping students learning in a learner centered environment: A guide to facilitating learning in higher education. Sterling, Virginia: Stylus Publishing, LLC.

Ebanks, R.A. (2010). The influence of learner centered pedagogy on the achievement of students in title I elementary schools (Doctoral Dissertation). School of Education, North central University, Arizona.

Edwards, R., Holmes, B., & Van de Graaff, J. (1973). Relevant methods in comparative education. Report of a meeting of international experts. Hamburg: UNESCO Institute for Education.

Fosnot, C.T. (1989). Enquiring teachers, enquiring learners: A constructivist approach for teaching. New York: Teachers College Press.

Froyd, J. & Simpson, N. (2008). Student centered learning addressing faculty questions about student centered learning. Course, curriculum, labor, and improvement conference. Washington DC, 30(11).

HakiElimu (2011). Are our teachers qualified to teach? A research report on teachers’ qualifications, motivation and commitment to teach and their implications on quality education. Dar es Salaam: HakiElimu.

HakiElimu (2013, May). Statement on 2012 form IV results: Joint civil society statement on government’s decision to nullify 2012 form four results. Dar es Salaam: HakiElimu.

Hardman, F. (2009). A review of teacher education in Tanzania and the potential for closer links between PRESET and INSET. A report produced in support to the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training (MoEVT) for the development of an INSET strategy and development plan linked to the Teacher Development and Management Strategy (TDMS) 2008-2013. MoEVT-UNICEF.

Henson, K.T. (2003). Foundations for learner centered education: A knowledge base. Education 124(1), 5-16.

Hughes, A.S. & Urasa, A. (1997). Transnational Curriculum Transfer and the Role of Feasibility Assessment. Canadian and International Education, 26(1), 76-90.

Iddy, S. & Chiwanga, F. E. (2017). Is the learner-centered approach indeed adopted in the teaching-learning of French in O-level state secondary schools in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania? Education Research Journal 7(6), 123-133.

Inter-agency Commission (1990). World declaration on Education for All (document adopted by the world conference on Education for All: Meeting basic learning needs, Jomtien, Thailand, 5-9 March 1990). New York: Inter-Agency Commission.

Jabbour, K.K. (2013). Issues that restrain teachers from adapting student centered instruction in Lebanese school. Tejuelo, nº 17, p.85-96.

Jidamva, G, B. (2012). Understanding and improving quality of secondary school education conceptions among teachers in Tanzania. Finland: ABO Akademi University Press.

Kafyulilo, A. C., Rugambuka, I. B., & Moses, I. (2012). The implementation of competence based teaching approaches in Tanzania: The case of pre-service teachers at Morogoro teacher training college. Universal Journal of Education and General Studies, 1(11), 339-347.

Kalinga, E.A. (2008) Development of an interactive e-learning management system (e-LMS) for Tanzanian secondary schools (Doctoral Dissertation). Blekinge Institute of Technology, School of Technoculture, Humanities and Planning-Sweden.

Kawishe, T.K. (2016). Implementation of learner centered methods within the constraints of shortage of instructional resources and facilities. A case of Itigi District Council. Master of Arts in Education, Mzumbe University Tanzania.

Kitta, S. & Tilya, F. (2010). The Assessment Status of Learner Centered Learning in Tanzania in the Context of the Competence-based Curriculum. Papers in Education Development. Journal of School of Education 29, 77-91

Komba, S.C. & Mwandanji, M. (2015). Reflection on the implementation of competence based curriculum in Tanzanian secondary schools. Journal of Education and Learning 4(2), 73-80.

Kulwa, P. (2014). Implementing learner centered approach for teaching Kiswahili poems writing skills O-Level Tanzania: A case of Dodoma municipality. Master of Arts in Education-University of Dodoma Tanzania.

Little, A.W. (2010). International and comparative education: What’s in a name? Compare 40(6), 845-852.

Lor, P.J. (2015). Understanding innovation and policy transfer: implications for libraries and information services in Africa. Library Trend 64(1), 84-111.

Lukindo, J.J. (2016). Exploring Competence Based Education (CBE) in RuralSecondary Schools in Tanzania: English Language Teachers’ Conceptions and Experiences. Journal of Education and Practice 7(29), 62-67.

Mayawu, T.G. (2016). Current trends in education reform in Tanzania. Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Nairobi

Meena, W, (2009). Curriculum innovation in teacher education: Exploring conceptions among Tanzanian teacher educators. Finland: ABO Akademi University Press.

Ministry of Education and Vocational Training (MoEVT) (2005). Curriculum for ordinary level secondary education in Tanzania, edition of 2013. Dar es Salaam: Tanzania Institute of Education.

Ministry of Education and Vocational Training (MoEVT) (2009). Curriculum for advanced secondary education in Tanzania, edition of 2013, Dar es Salaam: Tanzania Institute of Education.

MoEVT (2014). Education and training policy. Ministry of Education and Vocational Training Press A.

Mkimbili, S.T. (2018). Learner centered science teaching in community secondary schools in Tanzania. Faculty of Educational Sciences, University of Oslo No. 281, Norway.

Mombo, E.N. (2018). Assessment of the implementation of learner centered teaching approaches in secondary schools in Tanzania: A case of Bahi District. Masters of Arts in Education. The University of Dodoma, Tanzania.

Msesa, P.M. (2015). Enhancing learner centered approach in ordinary level history: A case of Rombo district. Masters of Art in Education. University of Dodoma Tanzania.

Mtitu, E. A. (2014). Learner-centered teaching in Tanzania: Geography teachers’ perceptions and experiences. Unpublished doctoral thesis, Victoria University of Wellington. Wellington, Australia.

Mushi, P.A.K. (2009). History and development of education in Tanzania. Tanzania: Dar es Salaam University Press.

Ngailo, M. (2019). Investigate the perceptions of teachers and students on the implementation of field trip in enhancing learner-centered approach in Tanzanian secondary schools: A case study of Mbeya city. Masters University of Dodoma Tanzania.

Nihuka, K.A. & Ambrosi, B. (2012). Learner centered approaches for curriculum implementation in secondary schools: Teachers perceptions and challenges. Open University of Tanzania.

Nyamtondo, B. M. (2012). Primary school teachers’ views on using learner centered method in Tanzania: a case of Temeke municipality, Dar es Salaam region. Masters University of Dar es salaam Tanzania.

O’Sullivan, M.C. (2004). The reconceptualization of learner centered approaches: A Namibian case study. International Journal of Educational Development, 24(6), 585-602.

Paulo, A. (2014). Pre-service teacher’s preparedness to implement competence based curriculum in secondary schools in Tanzania. International Journal of Education and Research 2(7), 219-230.

Phillips, D. & Ochs, K. (2004). Researching policy borrowing: Some methodological challenges in comparative education. British Educational Research Journal 30(6), 773-784.

Salema, V. (2015). Assessment of the attitude of teachers and students towards learner centered pedagogy in secondary schools in Kilimanjaro region. Educational Research 6(2), 31-38.

Sanga, P.L. (2016). Implications of Teacher Educators’ Practices in Assessment for Student Learning in Tanzania. Makerere Journal of Higher Education 8(1), 3-24.

Schreurs, J. & Dumbraveanu, R. (2014). A shift from teacher centered to learner centered approach. International Journal of Engineering Pedagogy 4(3), 36-41.

Schriewer, J. (Ed.). (2012). Discourse formation in comparative education (4th Ed). Frankfurt am Main: Peter Lang.

Schweisfurth, M. (2011). Learner centered education in developing country contexts: From solution to problem? International Journal of Educational Development, 31, 425-432.

Schweisfurth, M. (2013). Learner centered education in international perspective: Whose pedagogy for whose development.USA: Routledge.

Schweisfurth, M. (Ed.). (2015). Fifty years of comparative education. USA: Taylor & Francis.

Sears, A. & Hughes, A.S. (2005). Learning from each other: Toward a democratic approach to international collaboration in civic education. International Journal of Citizenship and Teacher Education 1(1), 16-31.

Stabback, P. (2016). What makes a Quality Curriculum? Current and critical issues in curriculum and learning. In-Progress Reflection No.2 on Current and Critical Issues in Curriculum and Learning. UNESCO-IBE.

Suleiman, S.J. (2016). Influence of learner-centered teaching approach in teacher preparation: the case of diploma in primary teacher education in Zanzibar. Master of Arts in Education, University of Dodoma Tanzania.

Sumra, S. & Katabaro, J.K. (2014). Declining quality of education: Suggestions for arresting and reversing the trend. Special Tanzania Human Development Report-Discussion Paper 63. Dar es Salaam: Economic and Social Research Foundation.

The American Psychological Association (1997). Learner centered psychological principles: A framework for school reform and redesign. USA: Work Group of Board of Educational Affairs (BEA).

Thorpe, M. (2010). Philosophies and theories at the basis of student centered educational models. The Open University XV Congress on Technology and Distance Education. Costa Rica, p.3-5.

TIE (2009). A Module on competence based teaching, learning and assessment in secondary schools. Dar es Salaam: Tanzania Institute of Education.

United Republic of Tanzania (URT) (1982). The System of Education in Tanzania 1981-2000. Presidential Commission on Education. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

United Republic of Tanzania (URT) (1995). Education and Training Policy. Ministry of education and culture, Dar es Salaam: The Adult Education Press.

United Republic of Tanzania (URT) (1997). Education Sector Development Program, Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania.

United Republic of Tanzania (URT) (1999). Tanzania Development Vision (2025), planning commission, Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania.

United Republic of Tanzania (URT) (2004). Secondary Education Development Plan (SEDP) 2004-2009. Ministry of Education and Culture: Education Sector Development Program final document. Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania.

United Republic of Tanzania (URT) (2006). Status of Implementation of Primary Education Development Plan (PEDP): A Paper Presented to Workshop For Directors and Assistant Directors PMO-RALG. Dodoma, United Republic of Tanzania.

Vavrus, F. (2009). The cultural politics of constructivist pedagogies: Teacher education reform in the United Republic of Tanzania. International Journal of Educational Development, 29(3), 303-311.

Vavrus, F., Thomas, M., & Bartlett, L. (2011). Ensuring quality by attending to inquiry: Learner centered pedagogy in Sub Saharan Africa. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: UNESCO-IICBA.

Vavrus, F. & Bartlett, L. (2013). Teaching in tension: International pedagogies, national policies, and teachers practices in Tanzania. AW Rotterdam, The Netherlands: Sense Publishers.

Wangeleja, M. (2003) Innovations in the new teacher education curriculum. The Tanzania Education Journal, 21, 22-29.

Wolhuter, C.C. (2015). Comparative and international education: Conceptual clarification and significance. In: C.C. Wolhuter, L. Jacobs & H.J. Steyn (Eds.). Thinking about education systems. Noordbrug: Keurkopie: 159-178.

Zemelman, S., Daniels, H., & Hyde, A. (1993). Best practice: New standards for teaching and learning in America’s schools (2nd Ed.). Portsmouth, New Hampshire: Heinemann.

Published
2021-04-14
How to Cite
[1]
Rwegasha Ishemo 2021. Progress of the Implementation of the Learner Centered Approach in Tanzania. International Journal on Integrated Education. 4, 4 (Apr. 2021), 55-72. DOI:https://doi.org/10.17605/ijie.v4i4.1606.
Section
Articles