ADDRESS BY THE DEAN - SCHOOL OF EDUCATION
DR. E.J. KAFANABO
TO INCOMING UNDERGRADUATE/ POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS
26th November, 2020
The Associate Dean;
Heads of Departments – Educational Psychology and Curriculum Studies, Educational Foundation, Management and LifeLong Learning, Physical Education and Sport Sciences;
Coordinators - Postgraduate Studies, Undergraduate Studies & Examination Officer, Center for Research and Professional Development, Quality Assurance Bureau, Teaching Practice and Special Education Needs Unit;
Members of Staff (Academic and Administrative staff),
All fresher’s for this academic year 2020/2021, protocol observed.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
On behalf of the members of the School of Education, I am so delighted to officially welcome you, first to the University of Dar es Salaam, and second, to the School of Education. Congratulations for the success you have made so far. You are all selected to join the different programmes that are being offered in the School of Education.
As you may have observed since your arrival, the School of Education is one of the Schools in this University which selects students with high performance and this implies that very few of you were able to go through the arduous sieving process to finally secure a position to study here. Therefore, you should consider yourself privileged and you are indeed part of the intellectual cream of this university and it is my hope that you will honour this opportunity you have been given and make the maximum use out of it.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The School of Education is led by the Dean who is the overall in-charge and overseer of all the academic programmes from undergraduate to postgraduate programmes. The academic programmes of the School of Education are hosted in three departments, and the details will be introduced to you after my short speech.
The Dean is also responsible to coordinate and oversees the career development of all the academic and administrative staff of the School of Education. The Dean is assisted by the Associate Dean, Heads of Departments and Units, Coordinators for Postgraduate Studies, Undergraduate Studies & Examination Officer, Center for Research and Professional Development, Quality Assurance Bureau, Teaching Practice and Special Educational Needs Unit.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The School of Education currently offers undergraduate programmes leading to the award of the following degrees:
The School of Education also provides pedagogical services to B.A and B.Sc with Education students in the College of Social Sciences (CoSS), College of Humanities (CoHU) and College of Natural and Applied Sciences (CoNAS) respectively. These students are then awarded a degree of Bachelor of Arts with Education and Bachelor of Science with Education. The details of each of the degree programme are available in the document provided to you and the Undergraduate Prospectus of the University of Dar es Salaam.
Besides being involved in the teaching of undergraduate programmes, the School of Education also offers postgraduate programmes. These include Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE), Masters of Arts in Education (MAED), Masters of Arts in Applied Social Psychology (MAASP), Masters of Education in Science Education (MEd.Sc.Ed), Masters of Education Language Education (MED LED), Masters of Education Management and Administration (MEMA) and Ph.D (by Coursework and by Thesis).
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The School of Education also has a small resource room or library apart from the University main library where some of the education-specific references can be consulted. The resource room is open every day except Saturdays and Sundays and we have a good and committed librarian. Make use of this resource room, and make a habit of visiting the main library at least twice a week. The university of Dar es Salaam main library is the best in East and Central Africa, well stocked with books and electronic materials, with staff who are well trained and ready to assist where need arises. These staff can help you to access electronic books, journals and other related materials and you can download information from the internet. The library is well equipped with state of art ICT facilities. You will never regret to be admitted at the University of Dar es Salaam.
Moreover, the School of Education has a Computer Laboratory where students can access the internet (through “free WIFI”) and can use the computers to learn some computer skills, search for online materials and also use the computers to type your own assignments. Please, be responsible and have a sense of ownership. Do not vandalise, be careful when using these valuable assets so that other students may also find them in good order and usable. Make every effort to become computer literate.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The education industry has expanded so much, so diversified and the needs are increasing almost every day. Much as we mentor you to become educators in different fields of expertise, we also understand that the market is open and competitive. So you need to work hard, learn different skills when you “walk the labouring road as a graduate student” so that you end up with enough extra skills to be a job creator capable of self employment and also employ others and do not be a job seeker.
Moreover, each profession has its code of professional conduct. As a teacher and educator to be, we don’t expect to treat and relate with you as a secondary school student. Likewise, we don’t expect you to behave like one. Rather, we expect you to behave with integrity in all aspects professionally, socially and in academic relationships. Integrity implies not merely honesty, but fair dealing, courtesy and consideration. We also expect you to behave as a matured, self-directing and a responsible person. A person who will respect oneself and others. We hope that you will maintain the good reputation of the teaching profession, lead the way in a scholarly manner and become a “role model” where other people and students can gauge themselves to.
You must also know that, University life is exciting, tempting as well as rewarding. But it is also challenging and at times it can also be embarrassing and frustrating. Especially when your dreams are shattered by being discontinued from studies. Make a habit of reading the University Prospectus especially on the courses you are supposed to register in your different programmes, read the examination regulations and don’t forget the University By-Laws.
For example, if you register for a course you must attend all lectures and seminars as required, sit for all assignments, tests, quizzes and final examinations and you pass. It is more embarrassing and a great shame for a student-teacher/educator to cheat or become involved in examination irregularity. Cheating and examination irregularity of any kind may lead into discontinuation and when this happens, it is indeed frustrating and depressing. We wouldn’t like one of you to be involved in this saga.
Engage yourself in your academic work diligently as this is the primary focus of you being here. This does not mean that you should burry yourself in books and avoid other ventures and entertainments. Rather budget your time properly. Time management is important especially at this level. Remember that the quality of your degree will depend on the amount of time and effort you will have devoted in your studies. Be strategic and careful in the selection of friends.
Develop a habit of passing through the notice board and read all the announcements that are posted there. At times changes are made on the timetable and people miss classes or examinations. This is an experience one wouldn’t wish to go through as missing an examination may lead into a lot of inconveniences both for the course instructor and the student.
The last but not the least in the services that the School of Education offers, it include services for students with special needs, for example students who are deaf, blind, low vision, albinism and with physical disability. The school has a Special Educational Needs Unit with experts in sign language, transcribers, transport is provided for these who are challenged in mobility, and also there are specific software and assistive technologies for academic use etc. Please make use of this unit for your academic support, but also inform other students who do not know that these services are available.
Dear incoming students let me conclude my speech by wishing you all the best as you climb this ladder of academic excellence. Let me also assure you that the staff in the School of Education will endeavour in every possible way to assist you in your intellectual pursuit. I hope you will find this place a better place to study and stay up to the end of your programme.
Staff reporting directly to the Office of the Dean:
Thank you very much for your attention!!