Child Care And Protection Within The Family-Preschool Partnership Framework In Dodoma Region, Tanzania

ABSTRACT

This study sought to investigate child care and protection within the family-preschool partnership framework in the Dodoma region, Tanzania. The study deployed multiple case study designs and followed a qualitative research approach. The study was guided by Bio-ecological theory, and it involved 40 respondents who were purposively selected. Data were collected through semi-structured interview, Focus Group Discussion (FDG), and documentary reviews. Data collected were analyzed following Miles and Huberman (1994) procedures for qualitative data analysis which involved data reduction, data display, and drawing conclusion and verification. The study findings revealed that child care and protection within the family-preschool partnership framework in the Dodoma region is still a big challenge that needs to be addressed. Young children in the region were found to be victims of various types of violence including physical, sexual and emotional violence in their homes, on their way to and from school as well as in the schools. Such kinds of violence were done by people close to children including their parents and teachers. However, lack of unity and cooperation between families and preschools, poverty, harmful cultural and traditional practices were observed to be factors behind the suffering of young children in the region. Based on these findings, it was concluded and recommended that the government should initiate and support public awareness and education campaigns to promote positive, non-violent methods of child-rearing. Parents should be urged not to continue to follow norms and customs that are harmful to young children, Likewise, in schools, teachers should receive some training on children’s rights and alternatives to corporal punishment. At the same time, the parents-teachers association should be established and made effective.