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Mwajuma Siama Vuzo
Biography
Prof. Mwajuma Siama Vuzo is an Associate Professor in the Department of Education Psychology and Curriculum Studies of the School of Education. She holds a PhD in Education from the University of Oslo, Norway (2007). She has a Master of Philosophy in International and Comparative Education from the University of Oslo, Norway (2002) and a Bachelor of Arts with Education majoring in Linguistics and minoring in Geography from the University of Dar es Salaam (2000) where she obtained a First-Class Honours GPA 4.6. Before joining the University of Dar es Salaam, she attained a Diploma in Education from Marangu Teachers Colleges where she specialized in language teaching. Her areas of specialty are language education, language of instruction, language policy, language teacher training, language teaching, education and development, curriculum and teaching. Prof. Mwajuma Siama Vuzo has also served in leadership positions at the University of Dar es Salaam and has held the following administrative positions at the University of Dar es Salaam:
Director of Social Services at University of Dar es salaam (2018- April 2025)
Head of Department, Department of Education Psychology and Curriculum Studies (2015-2018)
Director, Centre for Educational Research and Professional Development (2012-2015).
Research Interest
Language education, language of instruction, language policy, language teacher training, language teaching, education and development, curriculum and teaching.
Contacts
Email:
Projects
Prof. Mwajuma Vuzo has been involved in the following research projects; Language of Instruction in Tanzania and South Africa (LOITASA) [2005-2012] funded by NORAD from Norway where the collaborating partners were the University of Oslo, Norway, University of Dar es Salaam, School of Education and the University of Western Cape, South Africa; and she was also in the Transformation, Language and Education Development (TRANSLED) [2015-2019] a NORHED project funded by NORAD where the collaborating partners were the University of Oslo, Norway, State University of Zanzibar and the University of Dar es Salaam, School of Education. The TRANSLED project at UDSM has sponsored a total 6 PhD students and initiated the start of the Master of Education in Language Education that is still ongoing. Other project outputs include an edited book titled: ‘Transforming Education for Development in Africa’ edited by, Brock-Utne, Birgit; Ismail Mariam and Vuzo Mwajuma.
UNPUBLISHED DISSERTATIONS AND THESES
- Vuzo, M.S. (2007). Revisiting the Language Policy in Tanzania: A Comparative Study of Geography Classes Taught in Kiswahili and English. PhD Thesis. The University of Oslo, Norway.
- Vuzo, M.S. (2007). Pedagogical Implications of English as a Medium of Instruction in Tanzania Secondary Schools. Masters Dissertation. The University of Oslo, Norway.
BOOK PUBLICATION
- Brock-Utne, B., Ismail, M. & Vuzo, M. (2020) (Eds.). Transformation Language Education Development. Dar es Salaam: Mkuki na Nyota Publishers.
Publications
Dioniz, D., & Vuzo, M. S. (2025). Language policy implementation in Tanzania: how dual roles of primary school teacher-parents shape educational choices. International Journal of Multilingualism, 22(3), 1669–1682. https://doi.org/10.1080/14790718.2025.2449916
Dioniz, D., Vuzo, M., & Abdala, J. (2025). Kiswahili-medium and English-medium primary schools: Teacher views on key contrasts. South African Journal of African Languages, 45(2), 237–244. https://doi.org/10.1080/02572117.2024.2433533
Abdala, J., & Vuzo, M. (2024). Practices in Assessment for Learning in English Language Classrooms within Government Secondary Schools in Tanga City, Tanzania. Papers in Education and Development, 42(1). Retrieved from https://journals.udsm.ac.tz/index.php/ped/article/view/6560
Mapunda, E. & Vuzo, M. (2023). Implicit Teaching of Grammar and Implications on Communicative Competence: A Tanzanian Perspective of Communicative Language Teaching Approach Application. Journal of Linguistics and Language in Education.
Kambey, L. & Vuzo, M. (2023). Perceptions of Education Stakeholders on Use of Code-Switching in English Foreign Language Classrooms in Primary Schools in Tanzania. Huria Journal.
Vuzo, M. (2022). The Role of School Libraries in enhancing extensive English Language Reading Skills. University of Dar es Salaam Library Journal. Vol. 17. No. 2 pp 171-187.
Emmanuel, G., Vuzo, M. Maro, W. (2022). Secondary School Teachers’ Beliefs about Learner-Centred Approach and their Practices in the Teaching of Kiswahili Literature in Tanzania. Kiswahili Journal. Vol. 85, No. 1. pp 113-134.
Vuzo, M. (2021). The Relevance of Language Activism: Taking Stock of Use of Kiswahili and Local Languages in Education in Tanzania. Kiswahili Journal. Vol. 84, No, 2. pp. 239-258.
Brock-Utne, B; Halvorsen, T. A., & Vuzo, M. (2019). The school drop-out or rather “push out” problem in the South and in the North. World Studies in Education, Vol. 20, Number 2. pp. 61-75(15). James Nicholas Publishers.
Vuzo, M. (2018). Towards Achieving Sustainable Development Goals: Revisiting Language of Instruction in Tanzanian Secondary Schools. International Review of Education. Germany: Hamburg.
Brock-Utne, B. & Vuzo, M. (2022). The Ambivalent Language -in-education Policy of Tanzania with Specific Reference to Kiswahili. In: Handbook of Language Policy and Education in Countries of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Brill. pp 299-326. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004516724_017
Vuzo, M. (2020). Creating the Drop out: Is Language a contributing factor? Transforming Education for Development in Africa. Mkuki na Nyota Publishers.
Babaci- Wilhite, Z, Geo Jaja & Vuzo, M. (2015)- Nordic Aid and the Education Sector in Africa: The Case of Tanzania. In: Globalization, International Education Policy and Local Policy Formation. Springer Publishers.