Challenges Facing Local Government Authorities In Addressing The Problem Of Street Children; A Case Of Dodoma Municipality

ABSTRACT

One of the basic social functions is to maintain amicable social groups. In order for social groups to attain this goal, adults use different strategies to make children. This study set out to examine challenges facing local government authorities in addressing the problem of street children in Tanzania, particularly in Dodoma Municipality. The research design adopted was a cross-sectional descriptive survey and a sample of 105 purposively selected respondents using the qualitative and quantitative method was deployed. Questionnaires, documentary reviews, interviews, focus group discussion and observations were methods used to collect data. The study revealed that the problem of street children is high and growing day after day. The local government authorities also revealed some of the initiatives and programs to address the problem despite prevalence of the issue. Among the initiatives highlighted were networking and institutional cooperation, involving family and community, family reintegration, school reintegration, integration in the labour market, children‘s participation, physical and mental health care, among others. The study concluded that the problem of street children has to be collectively addressed by the family, policy makers, religious teachers, educators and social scientists alike (as parents of street children turn away researchers), individuals, governmental and non-governmental organizations. It is further recommended that, the implementation of the programmes, planning has crucial importance. From all levels that are from top to down, every step of introducing implementation and evaluation should be well equipped and planned for proper execution street children problem.