11 - ‘Arming the Rebels for Development’: Parental Involvement among Fishing Communities in Tanzania
Corresponding Author(s) : Paul Wabike
Africa Development,
Vol. 37 No. 3 (2012): Africa Development: Special Issue on Parents’ Involvement in Children’s Lives in Africa
Abstract
The reality of life for children in the fishing villages of Tanzania’s inner lakes is: the father (or the head of the family who often happens to be a man) is fishing the whole night and sleeping during the day. The mother sleeps during the night and is either selling fish in one of the markets or is working on the land during the day. This circle often knows no weekends or public holidays and allows little room for contacts between parents/guardians and children, forcing children to morally and emotionally raise themselves or/and attach themselves to any other available authority. These children do not attend any formal schooling and are often are labelled watoro (absent from school) or ‘rebels’. While the formal education system demands that children of school-going age be at school, the fishing community’s social organisation and the labour market follows different patterns that do not really allow for optimal presence of parents to raise their children. This paper looks at the present state of families with school-age children in rural Tanzania and the problems they face in engaging fully in their children’s lives. Using the theories of Parental Involvement (PI) and Cultural Capital (CC), a survey carried out for this study found out that being present or absent from school for the children is not always a question of lack of time; it has often to do with what is considered important in the society on one hand and the demands exerted by the nature of income generating activities such as fishing, business and farming, on the other.
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- Bilame, O., 2011, ‘Distribution of Income between Fishers and Gear Owners in Lake Tanganyika: A case of Kigoma Urban in Tanzania’, Dar es Salaam: REPOA.
- Bourdieu, P. and Passerson, J., 1990, Reproduction in Education, Society and Culture, Sage Publications, inc.
- Coulter, G.W., 1966, ‘Hydrobiological Processes and the deep Water Fish Community in Lake Tanganyika’, Vol. 1 and 2, PhD thesis, Queens University, Belfast.
- Epstein, Joyce L., 1995, ‘School/Family/Community Partnerships: Caring for the Children We Share’, Phi Delta Kappa, Vol. 76, pp. 701-712.
- Epstein, Joyce L., 2001, School, Family, and Community Partnerships: Preparing Educators and Improving Schools, Boulder, CO: Westview.
- FAO, 2000, ‘Research for the Management of the Fisheries on Lake Tanganyika’,
- FAO, Bujumbura, Burundi.
- Hoover-Dempsey, K. V. and Sander, H. M., 1995, ‘Parent Involvement in Children’s
- Education: Why Does It Make a Difference?’, Teachers College Record, Vol. 97, pp. 310-331.
- Jorgensen, E.S., Ntakimazi, G. and Kayombo, S., 2005, ‘Lake Tanganyika: Experiences and Lessons Learned Brief’, in Nakamura M, ed., Managing Lakes and their Basins for Sustainable Use: a Report for Lake Managers and Stakeholders, International Lake Environment Committee Foundation (ILEC), Kusatsu, Japan. pp. 363-375.
- Kloek, A., 2007, ‘Parental Involvement through Different Sets of Eyes: Research into the Involvement of Parents in the Education and Career Development of Young Adults in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa’, Masters Thesis, University of Groningen, The Netherlands.
- Lareau, A., 1989, Home Advantage, London: Falmer Press.
- Lareau, A., 2000, Home Advantage, Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
- Leendertse, K. and B. Horemans., 1991, ‘Socio-Economic Characteristics of the 1991 Artisanal Fishery in Kigoma Region, Tanzania’, UNDP/FAO Regional Project for Inland Fisheries Planning.
- Malmberg, L-M and Sumra, S., 2000, ‘Social-cultural Factors and Primary School Students’Achievement and School Experience’, UTAFITI [New Series] Special Issue, Vol. 4, 1998-2001:207-219.
- McBride, B.A., Bae, J. H., and Wright, M. S., 2002, ‘An Examination of Family- School Partnership Initiatives in Rural Prekindergarten Programs’, Early Education & Development, Vol. 13, pp. 107-127.
- Mbelle, Amon V.Y., 2008, ‘The Impact of Reforms on the Quality of Primary
- Education in Tanzania’, Research Report 08.1, Dar es Salaam, REPOA. Mncube, V., 2009, ‘The Perceptions of their Role in the Democratic Governance of Schools in South Africa: Are they on Board?’, South African Journal of Education, Vol. 29 , no. 1, pp. 1-40.
- Mung’ong’o, C.G., ed., 1997, BUHINGU: Participatory Rural Appraisal in Buhingu Ward, Kigoma Rural Region, Tanzania, Lake Tanganyika Biodiversity Project (RAF/ 92/G32), Socio-Economic Special Study Report No. 12, Dar es Salaam.
- Mung’ong’o, C.G., 1998, ‘Socio-economic & Institutional Appraisal of the Malagarasi-Luiche catchment, Kigoma Region, Tanzania’, Lake Tanganyika Biodiversity Project (RAF/92/G32), Socio-Economic Special Study Report No. 13, Dar es Salaam.
- Mung’ong’o, C.G., 1999, ‘’Socio-economic & Institutional Appraisal of Mwamgongo village, Kigoma Region, Tanzania’, Lake Tanganyika Biodiversity Project (RAF/92/G32), Socio-Economic Special Study Report No. 15, Dar es Salaam.
- Nyerere, J.K., 1968, Freedom and Socialism: A Selection from Writings & Speeches, 1965-1967, Dar es Salaam: Oxford University Press.
- Reynolds J.E, Hanek, G. and H. Mölsä., 1999, ‘Lake Tanganyika FFMP Implementation Programme and Component Project Profiles’, FAO/FINNIDA, Bujumbura, Burundi.
- Ringenberg, M., McElwee, E., and Israel, K., 2009, ‘Cultural Capital Theory and predicting Parental Involvement in Northwest Indiana Schools’, The South Shore Journal, Vol. 3, pp.86-124.
- Sénéchal, M., & LeFevre, J., 2002, ‘Parental Involvement in the Development of Children’s Reading skill: A 5-year Longitudinal Study’, Child Development, Vol. 73, pp. 445-460.
- Sparks, A. 1990, The Mind of South Africa. The Story of the Rise and Fall of Apartheid, London: Cox and Wyman Ltd.
- URT., 2005, ‘Basic Education Statistics in Tanzania (BEST), 1995-2005’, Ministry of Education and Vocational Training, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
- URT., 2008, ‘Kigoma Region Socio-economic Report (2006)’, National Bureau for Statistics (NBS)/Regional Commissioner’s Office. Dar es Salaam.
- URT/FAO., 2000, ‘Agricultural Marketing Systems Development Programme Formulation Mission, FAO Investment Centre Division’, FAO/IFAD Cooperative Programme, Rome.
- Wenger, E., 1998, Communities of Practice: Learning, Meaning and Identity, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Zeelen, J., Van der Linden, J., Nampota, D. and Ngabirano, M., eds., 2010, The Burden of Educational Exclusion: Understanding and Challenging Early School Leaving in Africa, Rotterdam/Boston/Taipei: Sense Publishers.
References
Bilame, O., 2011, ‘Distribution of Income between Fishers and Gear Owners in Lake Tanganyika: A case of Kigoma Urban in Tanzania’, Dar es Salaam: REPOA.
Bourdieu, P. and Passerson, J., 1990, Reproduction in Education, Society and Culture, Sage Publications, inc.
Coulter, G.W., 1966, ‘Hydrobiological Processes and the deep Water Fish Community in Lake Tanganyika’, Vol. 1 and 2, PhD thesis, Queens University, Belfast.
Epstein, Joyce L., 1995, ‘School/Family/Community Partnerships: Caring for the Children We Share’, Phi Delta Kappa, Vol. 76, pp. 701-712.
Epstein, Joyce L., 2001, School, Family, and Community Partnerships: Preparing Educators and Improving Schools, Boulder, CO: Westview.
FAO, 2000, ‘Research for the Management of the Fisheries on Lake Tanganyika’,
FAO, Bujumbura, Burundi.
Hoover-Dempsey, K. V. and Sander, H. M., 1995, ‘Parent Involvement in Children’s
Education: Why Does It Make a Difference?’, Teachers College Record, Vol. 97, pp. 310-331.
Jorgensen, E.S., Ntakimazi, G. and Kayombo, S., 2005, ‘Lake Tanganyika: Experiences and Lessons Learned Brief’, in Nakamura M, ed., Managing Lakes and their Basins for Sustainable Use: a Report for Lake Managers and Stakeholders, International Lake Environment Committee Foundation (ILEC), Kusatsu, Japan. pp. 363-375.
Kloek, A., 2007, ‘Parental Involvement through Different Sets of Eyes: Research into the Involvement of Parents in the Education and Career Development of Young Adults in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa’, Masters Thesis, University of Groningen, The Netherlands.
Lareau, A., 1989, Home Advantage, London: Falmer Press.
Lareau, A., 2000, Home Advantage, Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Leendertse, K. and B. Horemans., 1991, ‘Socio-Economic Characteristics of the 1991 Artisanal Fishery in Kigoma Region, Tanzania’, UNDP/FAO Regional Project for Inland Fisheries Planning.
Malmberg, L-M and Sumra, S., 2000, ‘Social-cultural Factors and Primary School Students’Achievement and School Experience’, UTAFITI [New Series] Special Issue, Vol. 4, 1998-2001:207-219.
McBride, B.A., Bae, J. H., and Wright, M. S., 2002, ‘An Examination of Family- School Partnership Initiatives in Rural Prekindergarten Programs’, Early Education & Development, Vol. 13, pp. 107-127.
Mbelle, Amon V.Y., 2008, ‘The Impact of Reforms on the Quality of Primary
Education in Tanzania’, Research Report 08.1, Dar es Salaam, REPOA. Mncube, V., 2009, ‘The Perceptions of their Role in the Democratic Governance of Schools in South Africa: Are they on Board?’, South African Journal of Education, Vol. 29 , no. 1, pp. 1-40.
Mung’ong’o, C.G., ed., 1997, BUHINGU: Participatory Rural Appraisal in Buhingu Ward, Kigoma Rural Region, Tanzania, Lake Tanganyika Biodiversity Project (RAF/ 92/G32), Socio-Economic Special Study Report No. 12, Dar es Salaam.
Mung’ong’o, C.G., 1998, ‘Socio-economic & Institutional Appraisal of the Malagarasi-Luiche catchment, Kigoma Region, Tanzania’, Lake Tanganyika Biodiversity Project (RAF/92/G32), Socio-Economic Special Study Report No. 13, Dar es Salaam.
Mung’ong’o, C.G., 1999, ‘’Socio-economic & Institutional Appraisal of Mwamgongo village, Kigoma Region, Tanzania’, Lake Tanganyika Biodiversity Project (RAF/92/G32), Socio-Economic Special Study Report No. 15, Dar es Salaam.
Nyerere, J.K., 1968, Freedom and Socialism: A Selection from Writings & Speeches, 1965-1967, Dar es Salaam: Oxford University Press.
Reynolds J.E, Hanek, G. and H. Mölsä., 1999, ‘Lake Tanganyika FFMP Implementation Programme and Component Project Profiles’, FAO/FINNIDA, Bujumbura, Burundi.
Ringenberg, M., McElwee, E., and Israel, K., 2009, ‘Cultural Capital Theory and predicting Parental Involvement in Northwest Indiana Schools’, The South Shore Journal, Vol. 3, pp.86-124.
Sénéchal, M., & LeFevre, J., 2002, ‘Parental Involvement in the Development of Children’s Reading skill: A 5-year Longitudinal Study’, Child Development, Vol. 73, pp. 445-460.
Sparks, A. 1990, The Mind of South Africa. The Story of the Rise and Fall of Apartheid, London: Cox and Wyman Ltd.
URT., 2005, ‘Basic Education Statistics in Tanzania (BEST), 1995-2005’, Ministry of Education and Vocational Training, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
URT., 2008, ‘Kigoma Region Socio-economic Report (2006)’, National Bureau for Statistics (NBS)/Regional Commissioner’s Office. Dar es Salaam.
URT/FAO., 2000, ‘Agricultural Marketing Systems Development Programme Formulation Mission, FAO Investment Centre Division’, FAO/IFAD Cooperative Programme, Rome.
Wenger, E., 1998, Communities of Practice: Learning, Meaning and Identity, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Zeelen, J., Van der Linden, J., Nampota, D. and Ngabirano, M., eds., 2010, The Burden of Educational Exclusion: Understanding and Challenging Early School Leaving in Africa, Rotterdam/Boston/Taipei: Sense Publishers.