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Blackson Kanukisya
Biography
Blackson Kanukisya (PhD), currently the Head of Quality Assurance in the Department of Teaching and Learning at the University of Dar es Salaam (from June 2023 to date), has previously served as the Associate Dean of the University of Dar es Salaam School of Education (2016-2021), Coordinator of Postgraduate Studies (2013-2016), and Examination Officer (2012-2013) of the School of Education. With over 15 years of teaching, research, and consultancy experience at the university level, he is recognized as a senior adult education specialist. Dr. Kanukisya is a Senior Lecturer in Comparative and International Adult and Community Education at the University of Dar es Salaam and holds a PhD in Comparative and International (Adult) Education from the University of Oslo, Norway. His core responsibilities at the university include teaching, research, supervision, and consultancy/outreach services.
Dr. Kanukisya has led and participated in numerous research and consultancy projects, including serving as the Principal Investigator for a World Bank-funded project to undertake Research and Evaluation for Tanzania Teachers’ Continuous Professional Development across 26 Pilot Local Government Authorities (2023 – 2024). He was a team member for a quantitative study on scaling a youth-led social support and mentorship programme to improve the quality of education for marginalized girls in Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, funded through GPE/KIX-International Development Research Centre (IDRC) (2022-2023). He also held the position of Vice Chairman in the evaluation of secondary schools/colleges managed, owned, and financed by the Parents' Wing of the Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) in mainland Tanzania, commissioned by the Secretary General of Chama Cha Mapinduzi (2018), and was a member of the team evaluating the Integrated Post-Primary Education (IPPE) in Tanzania, commissioned by UNICEF (2016).
As a passionate, humble, and innovative trainer and leader, Kanukisya has been a resource person and facilitated training for various institutions, including the Tanzania Commission for Universities (TCU), Ardhi University (ARU), University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), Mbeya University of Science and Technology (MUST), University of Dodoma (UDOM), Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), Mzumbe University (MU), Catholic University of Mbeya (CUCoM), Moshi Cooperative University (MoCU), Mwalimu Julius Nyerere University of Agriculture and Technology (MJNUAT), Mwenge Catholic University (MWECAU), and KCMUCo.
Furthermore, Dr. Kanukisya has contributed to several national reference groups, including the Oxford Management Policy (an evaluation agency for the Education Quality Improvement Programme - EQUIP-T) and Research on the Systems of Education (RISE). He has served as an external examiner for adult education programmes at the University of Makerere and the University of Kyambogo (Uganda), chaired a panel to review the Master of Education in Adult Education at the University of Namibia (UNAM), and participated in the review of academic programs under the Tanzania Commission for Universities (TCU). Dr. Kanukisya has also been involved in the development of curricula, policies, guidelines, and training manuals at UDSM and elsewhere.
Research Interest
Comparative and International Education/ Research, Adult Education, Globalization, Educational Research, Civic Education, Vocational Education, Human Rights Education.
Contacts
Email:
Projects
Principal Investigator, Mapping and development of rollout plan to strengthen delivery of adult and non-formal education in Zanzibar. 2024 – 2025. Financed by the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training, Zanzibar.
Independent expert reviewer, Review of National Audit Office of Tanzania (NAOT)’s Performance Audit Training Materials, 2023.
Quantitative Researcher, Scaling a youth-led social support and mentorship programme to improve quality of education for marginalised girls in Tanzania, 2022 - 2023. Funded by CAMFED Tanzania.
Principal Investigator, Undertaking Research and Evaluation for Tanzania Teachers’ Continuous Professional Development in the 26 pilot Local Government Authorities, 2022-2024. Funded by the World Bank
Member, Team to develop National Life Skills Education Framework for Out-Of-School Youth. Prime Minister’s Office Labour, Youth, Employment and Persons with Disability (2022).
Member, Team to review the National Life skills training manual for out of school youth. Prime Minister’s Office Labour, Youth, Employment and Persons with Disability (2022).
Mixed-methods researcher, Scaling a youth led social support and mentorship programme to improve quality of education for marginalized girls in Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe funded through GPE/KIX-International Development Research Centre (IDRC), 2022 – 2023.
Consultant (with Prof. E. Bhalalusesa and Dr. B. Mbughi), Mapping of adult education and non-formal education programmes and activities in Tanzania to inform project implementation
Chairman, Panel to review Master of Education in Adult Education at the University of Namibia (UNAM), Commissioned by the Namibia’s National Council for Higher Education (NCHE). Held in Windhoek at UNAM and Protea Hotel from 29th – 31st July 2019.
Vice Chairman, Team to evaluate secondary schools/colleges managed, owned and financed by the Parents' Wing of the Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) in mainland Tanzania, Commissioned by the Secretary General of the Chama Cha Mapinduzi. September - October 2018.
Consultant, field testing of the school-based continuous professional development for in service training (SB-CPD INSET) modules. Commissioned by Tanzania Institute of Education, financed by UNICEF. July - October 2018.
Leader, team to conduct baseline study for the Uwezo's communication on education matters in Tanzania (commissioned by Twaweza). 2016
Member, team to evaluate the Integrated Post-Primary Education (IPPE) in Tanzania (Commissioned by UNICEF)/ 2016
Publications
Purwaningsih, E., & Kanukisya, B. (2023). Fostering Nationalism among University Students in Indonesia: A Communal Perspective. Society, 11(2), 529-542.
Jumriani, J., Rochgiyanti, R., & Kanukisya, B. (2023). Socio-economic dynamics: Traditional mining and community resilience in South Kalimantan. Society, 11(2), 502-514.
Khamis, A. S., Kanukisya, B., & Mwaikokesya, M. (2024). Engendering preprimary education in Zanzibar: Question of male teachers’ under-representation in early childhood teaching and learning. International Journal of Early Years Education, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669760.2024.2330370
Sumani, D. M., Kanukisya, B., & Mwaikokesya, M. (2022). Experiential farmer-education enigma: Unearthing approaches Ugandan educators adopt in contextualising instruction. Studies in the Education of Adults. https://doi.org/10.1080/02660830.2022.2099160
Likinjiye, M., Kanukisya, B., & Ndabi, J. (2022). Students’ views on learning environment for undergraduate mathematics in selected higher learning institutions in Tanzania. Papers in Education and Development, 42(2), 1–19
Sumani, D. M., Kanukisya, B., & Mwaikokesya, M. (2022). Defying the odds to learn innovative farming in Uganda: Experiences of small-scale farmers from Bududa District. Papers in Education and Development, 39(2), 1–18. https://journals.udsm.ac.tz/index.php/ped/article/view/4634/4004
Mbogela, S., & Kanukisya, B. (2021). The participation of female teachers in educational leadership in secondary schools in Ubungo Municipality, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Journal of Education, Humanities and Sciences, 10(3). https://jehs.duce.ac.tz/index.php/jehs/article/view/92
Kanukisya, B. (2020). Conceptions and misconceptions of adult education in contemporary Tanzania. Papers in Education and Development, 38(1), 35–58
Nzowa, K., Kanukisya, B., & Komba, A. (2020). Patterns of linkages between technical institutions and extractive industries in developing practical skills of graduates in Tanzania. Journal of Education, Humanities and Sciences, 9(3), 21–38
Kanukisya, B. (2017). Is nonformal secondary education cheaper? Findings from Tanzania and Uganda. Journal of Education, Humanities and Sciences, 4(2), 87–99
Kanukisya, B. (2016). Ethical challenges in conducting comparative adult education research: Findings of a study conducted in Tanzania and Uganda. Papers in Education and Development, 33/34, 108–119
Kanukisya, B. (2014). Who participates in nonformal secondary education and why: Findings from Tanzania and Uganda. Papers in Education and Development, 32, 121–141
Kanukisya, B. (2013). Globalization and information and communication technology in and for nonformal secondary education in Tanzania and Uganda. Analytical Reports in International Education, 5(1), 33–54
Kanukisya, B. (2012). Globalization impacts on adult education: A comparative study of adult education policies and practices in Tanzania and Uganda. Unpublished PhD Dissertation, University of Oslo
Kanukisya, B. (2010). Globalization and inequality within the education system. Presented at a seminar on the Sociology of Education, University of Iceland, 14th–20th May 2010. http://vefsetur.hi.is/nordforsk/sites/files/nordforsk/webform/papers/Blackson_Globalization%20and%20Inequality%20within%20the%20Education%20System%20(2).pdf
Kanukisya, B. (2008). Contemporary adult education policies and practices in Tanzania. Unpublished Master of Philosophy Dissertation, University of Oslo
Kanukisya, B. (2006). Unipolar world and education. Pedagogik Profil: Utdanning i Sor, 13(4), 24–25
Kanukisya, B. (2005). The impacts of HIV/AIDS on primary school pupils’ attendance: A case study of two selected primary schools in Songea Township. Unpublished Bachelor of Education independent study (FE499), University of Dar es Salaam