In this study, we explored the implementation of the Fee-Free Education (FFE) policy and its impact on students' learning in secondary education in Tanzania. A qualitative research approach was employed, using an exploratory case study design. The sample comprised 106 participants: 35 classroom teachers, 42 students, 21 parents, seven (7) Heads of Schools (HoSs), and one District Education Officer (DEO). Data were collected through interviews, open-ended questionnaires, and documentary reviews, and were analysed thematically. The findings indicate that the FFE policy has been successfully implemented in secondary schools, as evidenced by increased enrolment and decreased dropout rates in the visited schools. The policy has also enhanced parental involvement in children's education and facilitated greater access to education for girls. It was also found that FFE has reduced the financial burden of schooling for children from poor families. Nevertheless, several challenges were identified, including shortages of teaching and learning materials, classrooms, and teachers, particularly science subject teachers, as well as an increased student-textbook ratio, which negatively affected learning. The findings also revealed that teachers' morale was relatively low due to insufficient and delayed disbursement of financial resources. The key argument of this study is that for the FFE policy to be effectively implemented, the government needs to increase the education budget proportionally, recruit more teachers, and provide adequate textbooks for secondary schools. In addition, constructing more classrooms to reduce congestion and encouraging contributions from parents and community members to school development plans are equally important.
The global education system has evolved in a digital society. This study analyses Tanzania's policy and strategic frameworks for integrating digital technologies into the education system to promote digital education. The study was a narrative qualitative research approach. It involved Tanzania as a case study. The findings indicated that the policy and strategic frameworks promoted the integration of technologies in education. The findings also indicated that nationwide technology initiatives promoted digital education by expanding technology facilities and infrastructure, building teachers' capacity, developing digital pedagogical content, and using emerging technologies. The findings further indicated the presence of strengths that promote digital education and challenges that impede it. The study also revealed that the Tanzanian government has committed to addressing present and future digital education challenges. These strategic commitments form the backbone for a comprehensive and sustainable digital education.
This paper proposes a framework for vertical integration in language education, addressing the discontinuity between secondary foreign language instruction and tertiary professional language development. Drawing on Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) methodology and English for Specific Purposes (ESP) theory, the framework conceptualizes the secondary-tertiary transition as progression along a continuum rather than movement between disconnected educational stages. The paper adapts the CLIL 4Cs framework (Content, Communication, Cognition, Culture) for university ESP contexts, demonstrating how integrative principles validated in secondary education can inform tertiary professional language instruction. Central to the framework is a subsystem of exercises organized according to three-stage text engagement (pre-text, text, post-text) and mapped to Bloom’s taxonomy levels, ensuring systematic cognitive progression from lower-order to higher-order thinking skills. Empirical grounding derives from pedagogical research on the integrative elective course “History of Ukraine in English”, which demonstrated significant gains in foreign language competence among secondary students using the proposed methodology. The paper presents design principles for ESP courses that maintain methodological coherence with secondary approaches while addressing the distinct demands of professional language education, discusses implementation considerations including curriculum alignment, instructor preparation, and assessment approaches, and identifies directions for future research. The framework contributes to scholarship on educational transitions by offering specific mechanisms through which vertical integration in language education can be achieved.
The study explored the reading comprehension of primary school pupils in Tanzania. The study used a mixed-methods research approach with a convergent research design. A convergent parallel design was used in the study, and data was collected using questionnaires, interviews, and documentary reviews. The sample involved 262 respondents, 252 being pupils and 10 English subject teachers. Quantitative data was analysed by the use of frequencies, percentages, and tables, while qualitative data was analysed thematically. The results indicate that most pupils struggled with understanding the main ideas, summarising, and reading English books, leading to problems with reading comprehension. The results also suggest that most of the pupils needed more help from teachers or fellow pupils to comprehend English texts and used to read passages repeatedly to understand them. The key argument from this study is that to enhance pupils' reading comprehension, teachers need to use interactive learning strategies such as group reading. For this to take place in reality, teachers' training in the proper interactive strategies and distribution of reading materials remain important.
This study examined self-perceived assessment competencies and practices among university instructors in Tanzania. The study was conducted across three public universities, using ex post facto and transcendental phenomenological designs. Stratified proportional sampling, simple random sampling, and purposive sampling were used to select and collect data from a sample of 205 instructors. Questionnaires, interviews, observations and documentary analysis were used concurrently to gather data. The qualitative data were analysed thematically, whereas the quantitative data were analysed using logistic regression. The analysis revealed significant differences among instructors on indicators for self-perceived assessment practices and demographic parameters. This study, therefore, proposes that universities make deliberate efforts to hold frequent workshops and seminars for instructors to improve their assessment practices.
Web design education using HTML and CSS represents a critical component of digital literacy in secondary schools, yet empirical research on effective pedagogical approaches remains remarkably limited. This systematic review synthesizes evidence from eight rigorous studies conducted between 2007 and 2023, examining instructional methods, learning outcomes, and implementation challenges. Through comprehensive quality assessment using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool and calculation of effect sizes where data permitted, we identify moderate to large positive effects for innovative pedagogical approaches, particularly gamification (d = 0.58) and mobile-supported learning (d = 0.70). Our thematic synthesis reveals that successful web design instruction requires careful orchestration of technological tools, pedagogical strategies, and motivational elements while managing cognitive load and infrastructure constraints. The geographic concentration of research in Indonesia and the United States, combined with the scarcity of rigorous studies, highlights significant gaps in the global research landscape. We present an evidence-based framework that translates these findings into practical guidelines for educators, addressing persistent challenges including syntax comprehension difficulties, student engagement, and teacher preparation needs. The limited research corpus paradoxically strengthens our analysis by enabling comprehensive examination of all existing rigorous evidence, establishing a critical baseline for future investigation as web technologies become increasingly central to educational and vocational preparation.
Background: The rapid proliferation of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), particularly following ChatGPT's release in November 2022, has created unprecedented opportunities and challenges for design education. Despite intense scholarly interest, no comprehensive synthesis maps how AI is being conceptualized, implemented, and researched across design disciplines in higher education. Objectives: This scoping review maps the extent, nature, and characteristics of research on generative AI in design education, examining pedagogical approaches, reported outcomes and challenges, and identifying gaps requiring future investigation. Eligibility criteria: Studies addressing AI or generative AI technologies within design disciplines (architecture, fashion, graphic, product, UX/UI, interaction, or general design education) in higher education contexts, published in English between 2017-2026. Sources of evidence: Web of Science Core Collection searched using 18 query combinations of design education and AI-related terms. Charting methods: Data extracted using a standardized form capturing 21 variables across bibliometric, methodological, technological, and pedagogical dimensions. Results: From 1800 initial records, 156 studies met inclusion criteria. Publication volume increased 6.4-fold following ChatGPT's release (86.5% post-2022). China (31.4%) and the USA (13.5%) dominate geographically. Research concentrates on creativity development (35.9%), assessment (27.6%), and curriculum design (22.4%). Only 26.3% employed theoretical frameworks, predominantly TPACK, design thinking, and experiential learning. Significant gaps exist in outcome reporting (66.7% unspecified), challenge documentation (74.4% unspecified), and methodological rigor (53.8% lower-quality designs). Conclusions: While research on generative AI in design education has surged, the field remains theoretically underdeveloped and methodologically nascent. We propose a research agenda prioritizing longitudinal studies, theoretical integration, under-researched disciplines (particularly graphic design), and ethical frameworks. The emerging paradigm shift from "maker" to "curator" demands reconceptualization of design education's foundational pedagogies.
The study assessed the existence of materials in implementing play-based pedagogy in early childhood education in Ethiopia. It utilised a mixed convergence approach with a descriptive survey methodology. A total of 427 participants were selected, including teachers, PTA members, principals, experts and coordinators. The instruments were self-constructed questionnaires and interview guiding questions. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse closed-ended quantitative data, while open-ended qualitative data were narrated. The findings reveal that most private and some public pre-primary school facilitators did not use age-appropriate, mentally stimulating video and audio aids. Resources were scarce, including indoor facilities and play materials. The identified challenge was a shortage of facilities. The study recommended that the woreda education office allocate adequate budgets to primary schools to ensure the required resources are available. Generally, the study highlighted the need to improve preschool facilities to support the effective implementation of play-based pedagogy in early childhood education.
This study examined the association between teacher motivation strategies and student academic achievement in public secondary schools in Oyo State, Nigeria. A quantitative cross-sectional survey design was employed. Data were collected from 905 teachers in 97 schools, selected through a two-stage stratified random sampling process across urban and rural areas. Two validated instruments were used: the Teacher Motivation Strategies Questionnaire (TMSQ, Cronbach's α=0.89) and the Student Academic Achievement Survey (SAAS, Cronbach's α=0.85). Multiple regression analysis revealed that recognition programmes, career advancement opportunities, workload management, and a supportive school culture collectively explained 68% of the variance in student achievement (R²=0.680, p<0.001). Recognition programmes were the strongest predictor (β=0.32, p<0.001), followed by supportive school culture (β=0.25, p<0.001) and career advancement opportunities (β=0.20, p=0.001). Workload management showed no significant association. The predictive strength was higher in urban schools (R²=0.72) than in rural schools (R²=0.66). Recommendations include state-wide recognition schemes and professional learning communities, especially for rural schools, to improve WASSCE performance.
This article is Part III of The Zelensky Files trilogy on leadership. A central theme of this article is the axiom that leadership functions in a world of uncertainty with few guarantees and with exponential complexity during national crises. The paper provides a brief review of The Zelensky Files I and II, as well as the research that informed these articles. The Zelensky Files 11-15 are presented around a common thread: a leader in any organisation often does not have absolute control over their organisation and its future. These leadership files encompass uncertain futures, varying leadership needs during war and peacetime, knowing when to step aside, and the fact that talent and intellect do not always prevail; situational context matters - a separate leadership approach is required for each, albeit to a lesser extent. The last sections of the paper provide a synthesis of Zelensky's leadership and implications for university leaders.
Design education occupies a distinctive position at the intersection of artistic creativity and technical proficiency, presenting unique challenges for competency-based curriculum development. As Ukraine continues its integration into the European Higher Education Area following its 2005 accession to the Bologna Process, design education programs face the imperative of aligning national standards with European competency frameworks while preserving the distinctive pedagogical traditions of artistic-project training. The Ukrainian higher education standard B2 Design establishes competency requirements for design professionals, yet the theoretical foundations connecting these requirements to European frameworks and effective pedagogical approaches remain underdeveloped. This theoretical paper examines the conceptual foundations of design education competency development within the context of Ukrainian European integration. It addresses three interrelated questions: (1) How do the competency structures embedded in Ukraine's B2 Design standard correspond to European qualification frameworks and international design education models? (2) What pedagogical approaches offer the strongest theoretical grounding for developing artistic-project competencies in design students? (3) What conceptual considerations emerge from analysing European integration challenges and opportunities for Ukrainian design education? The study employs a theoretical analysis approach, synthesising international scholarship on design education, competency-based learning, and European higher education policy. Through a systematic analysis of the Ukrainian B2 Design standard and a comparative examination of European competency frameworks, the paper develops an integrative conceptual model for understanding the development of design education competencies. The analysis draws on reflective practice theory, constructive alignment principles, and design cognition research to establish theoretical foundations for enhancing the curriculum. The analysis reveals three principal insights. First, while the Ukrainian design standard demonstrates structural alignment with the European Qualifications Framework's tripartite categorisation of knowledge, skills, and competence, significant gaps exist in articulating design-specific competencies related to critical reflection, interdisciplinary collaboration, and sustainable design practices. Second, studio-based and project-based pedagogical approaches, when grounded in reflective practice theory, provide robust frameworks for developing the integrated competencies required for professional design practice. Third, European integration presents both challenges - including resource constraints, faculty development needs, and assessment harmonisation - and opportunities for curriculum innovation, international collaboration, and enhanced graduate mobility. The paper contributes a theoretically grounded framework for understanding competency development in design education within the European integration context. It proposes that effective design education reform requires simultaneous attention to three interconnected dimensions: alignment with international competency frameworks, adoption of pedagogically sound approaches to artistic-project training, and strategic engagement with European integration mechanisms. The framework offers implications for design educators, curriculum developers, and policymakers in Ukraine and other countries navigating similar integration trajectories. Future research directions include empirical validation of the proposed model and comparative studies across post-Soviet design education systems.
Scientific models help students visualise concepts and processes that would otherwise remain abstract. This qualitative study examined how middle school students experience and perceive various modelling practices in science education. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 15 students across grades 5-7 to understand their preferences and the perceived impact of various modelling techniques. Students most frequently recalled and preferred physical and experimental modelling, viewing these hands-on approaches as most valuable for their learning. We observed moderate differences across grade levels and genders, pointing to the need for varied instructional strategies. Based on these findings, we recommend that physical and experimental modelling serve as core teaching strategies, supplemented by game-based, creative, and biological modelling to address diverse learning preferences.
This study determined the effectiveness of cognitive restructuring therapy (CRT) and motivational enhancement therapy (MET) on internet addiction of University undergraduates in Oyo State, Nigeria. The study adopted a pretest-posttest, control group, quasi-experimental design. The multi-stage sampling technique was used. Three universities were randomly selected: the University of Ibadan, Ibadan; Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomoso; and the National Open University, Ibadan Centre, located in Oyo State. They were assigned to the CRT, MET, and control conditions, respectively. Forty undergraduates with high internet addiction in the screening instrument were purposively selected from each university. Participants were randomly assigned to the CRT (37), MET (38), and control (40) groups, resulting in a total of 115 participants completing the study (attrition rate: 4.2%). The treatments lasted for eight weeks. The Internet addiction scale (r=.86) and Internet addiction screening scale (r=.81) were used for pre- and post-test, respectively. Data were subjected to analysis of covariance and estimated marginal means post-hoc test at a 0.05 significance level. There was a significant main effect of the treatments on internet addiction among university undergraduates (F(2, 111)=25.605, p<.05, η2=.316), with participants in the CRT (M=31.515) having the lowest mean compared to those in the MET (M=41.554) and control groups (M=50.098). The observed effectiveness of CRT compared to MET may be explained by CRT's targeted focus on identifying and modifying maladaptive cognitive patterns. This study recommends that educational/counselling psychologists adopt both interventions to reduce internet addiction among university undergraduates.
Tanzania's expansion of secondary education, driven by initiatives such as the Secondary Education Development Programme (SEDP) and the Fee-Free Education Policy, has increased enrollment; however, it has also exacerbated teacher shortages, particularly in rural areas and for specific subjects. Teaching volunteers now fill this gap, yet their challenges and management remain a critical challenge. This study had two specific objectives: (i) to examine the challenges facing volunteer teachers in public secondary schools, and (ii) to evaluate managerial strategies used at the school level to support volunteer teachers. Eighteen secondary schools in Dodoma City hosting volunteer teachers were purposively selected for the study. From these schools, a total of 63 volunteer teachers and 18 heads of schools participated in the study. Data were collected through questionnaires administered to volunteer teachers, while heads of schools provided insights through face-to-face interviews. The study's findings reveal that volunteer teachers encounter various challenges throughout their duties. These include inadequate financial support, limited access to teaching and learning resources, a sense of inferiority compared to employed teachers, excessive teaching loads due to a high number of classes and students, and overall work overload. To address these challenges, heads of schools were found to have adopted various management strategies. These include providing induction or orientation sessions upon recruitment, offering ongoing support, supplying necessary teaching and learning materials, and assigning responsibilities that match the volunteer teachers' skills and interests. It was concluded that volunteer teachers significantly contribute to secondary education but face challenges such as inadequate support, limited resources, and excessive workloads, which undermine their effectiveness despite school leaders' efforts to support them. As such, it is recommended that policy support, fair workload distribution, improved access to resources, and ongoing professional development be in place to enhance the motivation and performance of volunteer teachers.
This study presents a systematic bibliometric analysis of research on multilingual repertoires and linguistic justice in education. Drawing on 1,552 publications from the Web of Science Core Collection (1992-2026), we employ computational methods including co-authorship network analysis, keyword co-occurrence mapping, topic modelling, and temporal trend analysis to map the intellectual structure of this interdisciplinary field. Our analysis reveals seven distinct thematic clusters, with translanguaging-focused research dominating at a 34% prevalence, followed by policy-oriented scholarship at 22%. We identify key collaborative networks centred in Europe, North America, and South Africa, and trace the evolution of central concepts over the past three decades. Findings indicate exponential field growth (28.9% annually), a persistent gap between policy-oriented and practice-oriented research streams, and emerging attention to social justice frameworks (a 3,100% keyword growth). We identify raciolinguistic perspectives and epistemic justice as rapidly emerging theoretical orientations, while noting the continued centrality of foundational scholars, including García, Hornberger, and Cummins, in the field's intellectual foundations. This study contributes to the field by providing the most comprehensive mapping to date of research connecting multilingual repertoires, linguistic justice, and education, while demonstrating the utility of digital humanities methods for understanding complex interdisciplinary literatures.
The present study explores the professional development of elementary teachers in Odisha, considering the role of in-service teacher education (ISTE) programs. It identifies the challenges and opportunities of teaching in rural and tribal areas where educational disparities exist. Concepts like experiential and transformative learning have been considered the foundation for enhancing teaching practice. The research focuses on national initiatives under Sarva Sikhya Abhiyan and National Education Policy 2020, which have shaped the structure and effectiveness of teacher education programs. Government reports, such as the Odisha School Education Programme Authority's Annual Report and the Economic Survey of Odisha, reveal efforts to improve education in the state, especially for underserved communities. The study uses global perspectives from organisations such as UNESCO to emphasise the need for inclusive education and continuous professional development. Reviewing these sources, the study recommends strengthening ISTE programs in Odisha to enhance teacher efficacy and student learning outcomes.
The article addresses the problem of applying modern digital tools in the organisation of scientific and pedagogical research. The purpose of the study is to substantiate the possibilities of using contemporary digital instruments at the main stages of the research process and to systematise their functional potential for theoretical analysis, empirical data collection, processing, interpretation and dissemination of results. It is established that the evolution of research instrumentation proceeds from the use of information and communication technologies to computer-based tools and further to integrated digital environments that transform the organisation of research activity. It is demonstrated that each stage of scientific and pedagogical research necessitates specific digital support tailored to its methodological tasks: conceptualisation and work with sources at the theoretical stage, automated data collection and processing at the empirical stage, and analytical generalisation and dissemination of results at the final stage. The specific features of scientific and pedagogical research, related to the complexity, openness, and dynamism of its objects, are identified, which necessitate methodological validity, reliability of measurements, and careful interpretation of results. It is demonstrated that digital platforms, online research tools, statistical software, cloud services and artificial intelligence systems enhance the efficiency of research procedures while simultaneously generating new methodological challenges. It is concluded that the effectiveness of digital tools in scientific and pedagogical research depends on their integration into a coherent methodological framework, which ensures both technological efficiency and the scientific validity of research outcomes.
This systematic conceptual review examines mechanisms for comparing and harmonising qualifications in vocational education within the context of European integration, with particular attention to Ukraine's post-war recovery and integration trajectory. Drawing on analysis of scholarly literature (2021-2025), foundational research, and European regulatory instruments, the study develops a four-category classification of harmonisation mechanisms: framework mechanisms (European Qualifications Framework, National Qualifications Frameworks), instrumental mechanisms (Europass, ECVET, ESCO, digital credentials), procedural mechanisms (recognition procedures, ENIC-NARIC networks), and methodological approaches (learning outcomes analysis, stakeholder consultation). The analysis identifies three European harmonisation models - the general recognition system, automatic recognition for sectoral professions, and temporary mobility provisions - and documents persistent barriers to effective qualification recognition, including structural differences in qualification architectures, procedural complexity, and employer scepticism toward foreign credentials. Theoretical interpretation through neo-institutional, human capital, policy transfer, and varieties of capitalism perspectives reveals that framework-level alignment, while necessary, is insufficient for meaningful harmonisation; substantive implementation requires attention to institutional context, stakeholder engagement, and labour market realities. For Ukraine, the findings indicate that effective integration requires prioritising sectoral alignment in strategic domains, investing in recognition infrastructure, and maintaining contextual sensitivity in adapting European frameworks. The study contributes to scholarship by providing a systematic mechanism classification, demonstrating the value of theoretical integration, engaging critically with qualification framework debates, and offering evidence-based recommendations for countries navigating post-conflict qualification system integration.
The rapid transformation of educational paradigms in the twenty-first century demands that science education extend beyond disciplinary knowledge to cultivate transversal competencies essential for sustainable development and professional success. Chemistry education, with its inherent emphasis on laboratory collaboration, analytical reasoning, and ethical responsibility, offers a particularly fertile context for developing these soft skills. However, contemporary educational challenges - including the lingering effects of COVID-19 disruptions and the unique pressures faced by conflict-affected regions such as Ukraine - have exacerbated learning losses and heightened the urgency for systematic approaches to competency development. This paper addresses the critical gap between the recognized importance of soft skills in chemistry education and the lack of comprehensive methodological frameworks for their systematic cultivation in secondary school settings. Drawing upon Education for Sustainable Development principles and twenty-first-century competency frameworks, the study aims to provide chemistry educators with theoretically grounded and practically applicable guidance for integrating soft skills development into their teaching practice. The methodology synthesizes current research literature, including systematic analysis of Scopus-indexed publications, with established pedagogical frameworks and practical teaching materials. The paper examines soft skills across four interconnected domains: cognitive skills (critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving), communicative skills (scientific communication, listening, collaboration), organizational skills (time management, adaptability, leadership), and intrapersonal skills (emotional intelligence, ethical awareness, self-regulation). Key contributions include a classification framework tailored to chemistry education contexts, evidence-based teaching strategies for each skill domain, assessment approaches for monitoring soft skills development, and adaptations for inclusive and crisis-affected learning environments. The paper presents practical lesson plans, case studies, and rubrics designed for immediate classroom implementation. The findings underscore that systematic integration of soft skills in chemistry education not only enhances student preparedness for future academic and professional challenges but also serves as a mechanism for addressing educational losses and fostering psychological resilience. Implications for curriculum development, teacher professional development, and educational policy are discussed, with particular attention to contexts requiring adaptive and inclusive approaches.
This study aimed to unpack Business English vocabulary learning strategies, the effect of non-mastery of vocabulary learning strategies on the four language skills, and the difficulties encountered in learning Business English vocabulary among 2nd-year students of Annaba Higher School of Management Sciences. Forty (40) students responded to the Google Forms questionnaire. Adopting a Friedman test to compare the frequency of use of cognitive and meta-cognitive strategies such as extensive reading, memorisation, note taking, dictionary use, speaking aloud and listening to media. The analysis revealed a statistically significant difference in usage frequency (χ2 = 16.37, p = 0.022). Descriptive SPSS analysis revealed that the non-mastery of Business English vocabulary affected the participants' four language skills: speaking, writing, listening and reading. SPSS Pearson correlation analysis revealed a very weak positive correlation (r = 0.131) between two variables: the effect of non-mastery of Business English vocabulary on speaking skill and the effect of mastery of Business English vocabulary on reading skill. Cochran's Q test revealed significant statistical results (Q = 25.98, p < 0.001) regarding the difficulties participants encountered when learning Business English vocabulary, such as understanding Business English terms, spelling, and pronouncing new terms. The study suggests that teachers should identify students' preferred Business English vocabulary learning strategies to guide them in using those strategies efficiently for enhancing their English language mastery and communication proficiency.
