Description:
This study aimed to examine the Factors Contributing to Gender Imbalance in Tanzanian Higher
Education. The study based on two universities namely St. Augustine University of Tanzania
(SAUT) and University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM).
The findings of this study are expected to benefit the girls who after being aware have to claim
for their rights, help the government and the society strive for changes to better the situation and
guide researchers who would like to carry out research on similar topics. The research objectives
examined the factors contributing to Gender Imbalance in Tanzanian Higher Education.
The study employed Exploratory Design which was in two faces mixed method approach which
is quantitative and qualitative method. The researcher used both probability and purposive (non probability) sampling in selecting the respondents. In probability sampling the representatives’
sample for students and lecturers in SAUT and UDSM to participate in the study were obtained
by the means of simple random sampling where as registrars, deans of students and focus group
members were obtained purposively. The universities were stratified as private and public
universities. The study consisted of 2 registrars, 2 deans of students, 12 members of focus group,
30 lecturers and 332 students which made at total sample to be 378. Descriptive statistics in
excel was used in summarizing quantitative data into frequencies and percentages through tables,
columns, bars, doughnuts and pie chart. Qualitative data was recorded and presented in the
narrative form.
The study findings revealed that despite the effort made by the government to grant equal
opportunities for education to both genders, there is still gender imbalance in Tanzanian Higher
Education. The study recommends that; the government should sensitize and educate the society
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on the importance of education to both male and female genders and eradicate poverty to
improve the economy. Society has to fight against socio-cultural values that cause discrimination
and girls should be confident in studies. Lastly the researcher recommends that the government
in collaboration with the society ought to fight against those causing students to drop out from
schools. Besides, pregnant girls should be allowed to go back to complete school after delivery
so that their chances may not be lost.