Welcome to the Special Education Office

The Special Education Office is under the Diversity Unit. It was established in the year 2005 and it is located in the Faculty of Education Building - Ground floor.

Students with disabilities and special needs are integral part of DUCE whereas their learning opportunities and the services available to them need to be assured in the same way as other students without disabilities. Special Education Office aims at making reasonable adjustment to ensure students with disabilities are able to fully participate in all academic and non-academic opportunities within the College premises on the same basis as students without disabilities.

The support services provided in this office, but not limited to the following:

• Students with visual  impairment
• Students who are deaf and hard of hearing
• Students with physical disabilities
• Students with learning disabilities
• Students with albinism
• Students with neurological and cognitive impairments

Students mentioned above and others with special needs benefit from additional educational services such as customized learning approaches, technologies, teaching areas/rooms and resources.

Also, Special Education Unit serves, among other roles to raise awareness and understanding of disability issues and special education needs by providing support, training and expert advice to academic and administrative areas of the University College.

While the unit is primarily on students with disabilities, the development of more inclusive practices will benefit all students. The unit encourages exploration of work practices and urges the College to create a more inclusive learning environment.

The College participates in the commemoration of 30 years of Inclusive Education

Dar es Salaam University College of Education (DUCE) participated in the National Commemoration of 30 Years of Inclusive Education. The event was held at Patandi Secondary School in Arusha from September 16^th to 20^th 2024. At the event, the College was represented by the Head of the Special Education Unit, Ms. Mercy Hozza, and the Deputy Principal - Academic, Research and Consultancy, Dr. Christina Raphael. During the event, the exhibitor showcased various activities carried out at DUCE. Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Minister of State in the President’s Office for Regional Administration and Local Government, Mohamed Mchengerwa, emphasized the importance of identifying children with special needs in their communities to ensure they are recognized and can access their basic rights.

STAFF

The UNIT has two categories of Staff

• Transcribers (Braille/Sign Language). These are professional special education officers who serve under the Diversity Unit as disability liaison officers to provide support, consultation and liaison between academics, disability services and students with disabilities. These officers provide a link between disability services and all faculties at DUCE.
• Readers and Note takers. These are part time staff who serve as assistants to Transcribers by supporting students in different occasions inside and outside the University College. Their specific roles involve reading, note taking, searching materials and guiding students to different parts of the College premises.

A. TRANSCRIBERS’ BIOGRAPHY

Ms. MERCY S. HOZZA

Ms. Hozza is a Senior Transcriber in the Special Education Office under the Diversity Unit. She facilitates and assists students with special needs, transcribing and de-brailling students’ works for those with visual impairment. She also assists in formulating and updating operational policies, guidelines and procedures regarding students with special needs. Ms. Hozza holds a Master in Special Needs Education from Kyambogo University, Kampala (2018). She completed Bachelor of Education in Special Education from the Open University of Tanzania (2009). She specializes in Visual Impairment and Inclusive Education.

MR. BENIGNO  C. KUMPANGA

Mr. Kumpanga is a Sign Language Transcriber I in the Special Education Office under the Diversity Unit. He facilitates and assists students with special needs and coordinates all issues pertaining to hearing and speech impairment. He is a professional Sign language interpreter who provides services at the College, Government ceremonies and consultancies regarding Tanzanian Sign Language (TSL). He also assists in formulating and updating operational policies, guidelines and procedures regarding students with special needs. Mr. Kumpanga holds a Bachelor of Education in Special Needs from Sebastian Kolowa Memorial University (SEKOMU). He also hold a Diploma in Education from Tabora Teachers College. Currently, Mr. Kumpanga is pursuing a Master of Education in Special Education (M.Ed-Special Ed) at University of Zambia (UNZA), Lusaka. His areas of specialization are Deaf Education, Sign Language and Inclusive Education.

MR. MUNTALA H. MKESSA 

Mr. Mkessa is a Braille Transcriber I in the Special Education Office under the Diversity Unit. He facilitates and assists students with special needs, transcribing and de-brailling students works especially those with visual impairment. As a blind rehabilitation and mobility specialist, he teaches, orients and support visually impaired students to travel safely, gracefully and efficiently throughout their environments. He holds a Bachelor of Education in Special Needs from Sebastian Kolowa Memorial University (SEKOMU) in Lushoto -Tanga, (Tanzania). 

Ms. MWASI M. MOHAMED

Ms. Mwasi is a Sign Language Transcriber I in the Special Education Office under the Diversity Unit. He facilitates and assists students with special needs and coordinates all issues pertaining to hearing and speech impairment. She holds a Bachelor of Education in Special Needs from Sebastian Kolowa Memorial University (SEKOMU) in 2017. Her areas of expertise are Hearing and Speech impairment, and Inclusive Education.

Mr. OMEGA F. ABDALAH

Mr. Abdalah is a Sign Language Transcriber II in the Special Education Office under the Diversity Unit. He facilitates and assists students with special needs and coordinates all issues pertaining to hearing impairment. He is a professional Sign Language Interpreter who provides services regarding to Tanzanian Sign Language (TSL). He holds a Bachelor of Education in Special Needs from University of Dodoma (UDOM) in 2021. His areas of expertise are Tanzanian Sign Language, Deaf Education and Inclusive Education

Reader / Notes Taker Biography.

1. DAINESS K. MSIRA

Ms. Msira is a part-time reader/note taker for students with disabilities and special needs at Dar es Salaam University College of Education (DUCE) since 2023.  She holds a Bachelor of Arts with Education from University of Dar es Salaam. She is specialized in Kiswahili and Geography.

2. JOEL DAVID MWAIKUGILE

Mr Mwaikugile is a part time reader and note taker for students with disabilities and special needs at the Dar es Salaam University College of Education (DUCE) since 2024. He holds a Bachelor of Education in Special Needs from University of Dodoma (UDOM). He specializes in literature and Tanzania sign language.

3. NIGANILE Z. MWANTIMWA

Ms. Mwantimwa is a part time-reader/ note taker for students with disabilities and special needs at Dar es Salaam University College of Education (DUCE) since 2021. She holds a Bachelor of Arts with Education from the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), specialized in Kiswahili and Literature.

4. JOHANIC NSHALILA

Mr. Nshalila is a part time reader/note taker for students with disabilities and special needs at Dar es Salaam University College of Education (DUCE). She holds a Bachelor of Arts with Education from DUCE, specializing in Linguistics and Literature.

5. SALIMA IBRAHIM

Ms. Ibrahim is a part time reader/note taker and a Bajaji Driver for students with special needs at Dar es Salaam University College of Education (DUCE) since 2020. She holds a Bachelor of Arts with Education specializing in Linguistics and Literature from DUCE.

6. DEBORA MALUNDA

Ms. Malunda is a part time reader or note taker for students with disabilities and special needs at Dar es Salaam University College of Education (DUCE) since 2021. She holds a Bachelor of Arts with Education (BAED) from DUCE. She has experience in assisting people with special needs at family level.

7. ALOYCEA A. BRENDAN

Ms. Brendan is a part-time reader/note taker for students with disabilities and special needs at the Dar es Salaam University College of Education (DUCE) since 2023. She holds a Bachelor of Arts with Education from DUCE. She is specialized in Kiswahili and Geography.

8. YOHANA J. MAPUNDA

Mr. Mapunda is a part time-reader/ note taker for students with disabilities and special needs at Dar es Salaam University College of Education (DUCE) since 2021. He holds a Bachelor of Arts with Education from the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), specialized in Kiswahili and Literature.

9. MARON D. RUGEMALILA

Mr. Rugemalila is a part time reader and note taker for students with disabilities and special needs at Dar es Salaam University College of Education (DUCE) since 2023. He holds a Bachelor of Education in Arts (BEd Arts) from Mkwawa University College of Education (MUCE), where he studied Linguistics (English language) and Education programmes.

10.  EDSON E. MAKYAO

Mr. Makyao is a part time-reader/ note taker for students with disabilities and special needs at Dar es Salaam University College of Education (DUCE) since 2023. He holds a Bachelor of Education in Arts from DUCE, specializing in History.

11. MUSSA IBRAHIM

Mr. Ibrahim is a part time reader and note taker for students with disabilities and special needs at the Dar es Salaam University College of Education (DUCE) since 2023. He holds a Bachelor of Education in Psychology from the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM). He specializes in Educational Psychology and Psychology of Exceptionality.

12. DEBORA SHIBOGA

Ms. Shiboga is a part time reader and note taker for students with disabilities and special needs at the Dar es Salaam University College of Education (DUCE) since 2023. She holds a Bachelor of Education in Special Needs from University of Dodoma (UDOM). She specializes in Kiswahili and Visual Impairment.