Candidate Name:

Zedekian Malyatangasi Nyagawa

Registration Number

2013-07-00247

University of Dar es Salaam,

School of Education

Qualifications attained:

Mr. Zedekian Malyatangasi Nyagawa is a PhD (Education) student in the Department of Educational Foundations, Management and Lifelong Learning, School of Education, University of Dar es Salaam. He holds a Bachelor of Education in Arts (B. Ed. Arts) and Masters in Educational Management and Administration (MEMA) from the University of Dar es Salaam. His PhD research title is: “An Investigation of Fire Disaster Management Mechanisms in Boarding Secondary Schools in Tanzania. A Case of Selected Schools” His areas of research interests include integrating disaster reduction strategies and safety of instructional environment in educational plans and practices. Currently, he is an Assistant Lecturer in the Department of Educational Foundations and Management in the Faculty of Education at Mkwawa University College of Education in Iringa, Tanzania.

Title of Dissertation/ Thesis:

An Investigation of Fire Disaster Management Mechanisms in Boarding Secondary Schools in Tanzania. A Case of Selected Schools

Date of Viva Voce:

27^th April, 2021

Venue:

Board Room, SoED

Time:

10.00 a.m.

Supervisor

Prof. W.A.L. Anangisye

Abstract:

This study investigated fire disaster management mechanisms in Boarding Secondary Schools (BSSs) in Tanzania. Four research objectives guided the study, namely, to: examine fire disaster mitigation mechanisms in BSSs; assess fire disaster preparedness mechanisms in BSSs; evaluate the fire disaster response mechanisms in BSSs; and examine fire disaster impact recovery mechanisms in BSSs. The study was guided by the eclectic approach which drew insights on various models and literature in an attempt to understand and describe comprehensively fire disaster management mechanisms which are used in BSSs. Philosophically, the study was guided by constructivism ontological and epistemological assumptions to generate information about fire disaster management mechanisms in BSSs. The study adopted a qualitative approach and employed descriptive multiple case study design to generate in-depth information from participants in four purposively selected BSSs as well as the Ministry of Education Science and Technology and President’s Office Regional Administration and Local Government headquarters in Tanzania. Purposive and snowball sampling procedures were employed to select a total of 95 research participants.

Face-to-face interviews, Focused Group Discussions, observations and documentary reviews methods were adopted to generate in-depth information for the study. Qualitative data were analysed thematically through the NVivo software Version 11 and presented narratively and through photographs. However, the numerical data were presented in tabular form. The findings indicated that: First, the mechanisms used in mitigating fire disasters especially the fire emergency exits, security guards, reliable electrical wiring systems, fire-resistant materials and school by-laws were inadequate and less effective in preventing and reducing the impacts due to financial deficit and limited fire safety awareness among school members. Second, fire disaster preparedness in terms of firefighting equipment, human and financial resources in BSSs was inadequate and less useful in reducing the impacts of fire. Third, fire disaster response mechanisms such as sharing information about an emergency, participating in rescue, provision of first aid services and rushing victims to hospitals were less useful in minimising the impacts of fire in BSSs due to the shortage of firefighting and rescue equipment, inaccessible school buildings, delayed arrivals of fire-trucks due to poor roads, and limited awareness and skills about fire rescue. Fourth, fire disaster impact recovery mechanisms such as removal of debris of damaged property, closing schools, conducting remedial classes, mobilisation of recovery fund and reconstruction of school infrastructures were less effective due to the deficit of disaster fund, lack of fire disaster recovery plans and limited knowledge about the recovery procedures. The study recommends that the government and BSSs members should ensure that fire disaster management activities in schools are adequately funded. Moreover, they should ensure that effective firefighting equipment and training of staff and students are in place to enhance safety of instructional environment and reduce the impact of fires.

Panel Members:

No

Name

Designation

Rank

Unit

1

Prof. E. Bhalalusesa

Chairperson

A/Professor

SoED-EFMLL

2

Dr. H. Dachi

Representing External Examiner

S/Lecturer

SoED-EFMLL

3

Dr. George Kahangwa

Internal Examiner

S/Lecturer

SoED-EFMLL

4

Prof. W.A.L. Anangisye

Candidate’s Supervisor

Professor

SoED-EFMLL

5

Dr. N.L. Mgonda

Head of the relevant department (or his/her appointee)

Lecturer

SoED-EFMLL

6

Dr. A. Tarmo

Co-opted Member (appointed by College/School/Institute

Lecturer

SoED-EPCS

7

Dr. B. Kanukisya

Co-opted Member (appointed by College/School/Institute

S/Lecturer

SoED-EFMLL

8

Dr. Patrick Kavenuke

Appointee  of the Principal for PhD only)

Lecturer

DUCE-EFMLL