THE CHALLENGES FACING ACADEMIC STAFF IN HIGHER LEARNING INSTITUTIONS: A CASE STUDY OF LIPINYAPINYA INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION IN TANZANIA

The purpose of the study was to examine the challenges facing academic staff in higher learning institutions in Tanzania. The Lipinyapinya Institute of Education (LIE) was used as a case study for the study. The study examined the extent to which the identified challenges affect the performance of the academic staff. Further, the study assessed the measures taken by LIE staff and the government to address the challenges. The study was conducted at the LIE headquarters in Dar es Salam. The sample included 50 respondents. The respondents were LIE senior administrators and MoEVT adult education officers who were selected through a purposive sampling technique. Academic staff, Diploma and Bachelor of Adult and continuing Education (BACE) students were obtained through random sampling technique. Data was collected through qualitative and quantitative research approaches. The data collection techniques used in the study included interviews, questionnaires, observation and documentary review. Findings revealed that academic staff at LIE faced challenges such as shortage of teaching and learning materials and facilities, inconducive teaching and learning environment, unattractive allowances and unavailability of house allowance. Other challenges that were found out included unreliable transport and lack of staff development policy. It was revealed that shortage of funds from Ministry of Education and Vocational Training (MoEVT) and donors, mismanagement of funds, poor application of ICT and low profile accorded to the field of adult education at the MoEVT were some of the causes of the challenges encountered. Based on these findings the researcher recommends that adequate teaching and learning facilities are made available, staff be facilitated to own private transport, eligible allowances be paid, training policy be designed, funds for LIE be increased and carefully managed