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Dr. Bernadetha Gabriel Rushahu
Biography
Dr. Bernadetha Gabriel Rushahu is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Educational Psychology and Curriculum Studies at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), Tanzania. She currently serves as the Head of the UDSM Guidance and Counselling Unit, where she leads initiatives that promote mental health and psychosocial support for students and staff. Dr. Rushahu holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Education specializing in Counselling Psychology and Special Needs from the University of Oldenburg, Germany. She also holds a Master of Arts in Education (Psychology) and a Bachelor of Education in Educational Psychology from the University of Dar es Salaam. She teaches undergraduate and postgraduate courses, supervises graduate students, and conducts research in counselling psychology, mental health and psychosocial support, special and inclusive education, gender and educational psychology.
Dr. Rushahu has contributed to research, consultancy, and policy initiatives aimed at strengthening counselling services, inclusive education, and mental health support within educational institutions in Tanzania. She has served as a consultant to several national and international organizations, including the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, the Tanzania Institute of Education (TIE), Sense International Tanzania, Colleges and Institutes Canada, and Enabel (Belgian Development Agency).
Dr. Rushahu has published research articles in local and international peer-reviewed journals and has presented her work at national and international conferences. Her publications and citations can be accessed through her Google Scholar profile:
https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=JypKWYMAAAAJ&view_op
Research Interest
Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS)
Guidance and Counselling
Inclusive Education and Disability Studies
Special Needs Education
Higher Education and Student Well-being
Gender and Education
Early Childhood and Primary Education
Life Skills and HIV/AIDS Education
Multicultural and Community Counselling
Career Counselling and Youth Development
Contacts
Email:
Projects
- 2024: Principal Consultant for Stocktaking and Needs Assessment for the Wezesha Binti Programme (Secondary Education Pillar) in Kigoma Region, implemented by Enabel (Belgian Development Agency).
- 2023: Lead Consultant developing Training of Trainers Toolkit on Gender Equality, Human Rights and Psychosocial Support for Community Based Organizations (CBO) and Folk Development Colleges (FDC), supported by Colleges and Institutes Canada.
- 2023: Principal Consultant National Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (NACTVET) to Evaluate Recognition of the Department of Psychology at Zanzibar School of Health (ZSH).
- 2023: UDSM Team leader providing Psychological First Aid and counselling to victims of flash floods in Hanang, Manyara Region.
- 2022–2023: Principal Investigator, Mental Health Challenges among Students and Staff at the University of Dar es Salaam, funded by UDSM Competitive Research and Innovation Grants.
- 2021: Lead Consultant for End of Programme Evaluation – Investing in Futures: Inclusive Education for Children with Disabilities, implemented in Chamwino District and Dodoma City Council.
- 2020–2021: Consultant in designing the National Strategy for Inclusive Education in Tanzania (2021–2026) under the Ministry of Education
- 2020: Lead Consultant, Capacity Assessment of Special Schools Supporting Learners with Deafblindness and Multi-Sensory Impairments, commissioned by Sense International Tanzania.
- 2020: Monitoring and evaluation of curriculum implementation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students in secondary schools, sponsored by Tanzania Institute of Education and 141D (Inclusive Development).
- 2018–2021: Panel Member Specialist at Tanzania Institute of Education (TIE) reviewing Special Needs Education Curriculum and Teacher Education Syllabi.
- 2012: Research and report writing for the Transforming Education for Girls in Nigeria and Tanzania (TEGINT) project, coordinated by ActionAid and funded by Comic Relief and The Tubney Charitable Trust.
- 2010: Evaluation of HIV//AIDS and Life skills education delivery in Primary schools in Tanzania, Sponsored by SIDA-SAREC.
Publications
Peter, F., Lyakurwa, S., & Rushahu, B. G. (2025). Implementation of Counselling Services for Pupils with Visual Impairment in Special Primary Schools in Tanzania. SN Social Sciences.
Rushahu, B. G. (2023). The need of online counselling to enhance mental health among students in higher learning institutions in Tanzania. Tanzania Journal of Sociology, 9(2)
Rushahu, B. G., & Mbawala, J. (2023). The relationship between self-efficacy and intention to engage in premarital sex among adolescent students in public secondary schools in Tanzania. Tanzania Journal for Population Studies and Development, 30(2), 97–112. https://doi.org/10.56279/tjpsd.v30i2.146
Rushahu, B. G., & Mukandala, G. D. (2023). Investigating the prevalence of mental health challenges among students at the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: A case study for depression, anxiety, and stress. Preprint.
Rushahu, B.G (2023). Lecturers Ability to Support Inclusive Learning to students with Visual Impairment in Higher Learning Institutions in Tanzania. Tanzania Journal of Population Studies and Development, Vol 30(1), 41–55. https://doi.org/10.56279/tjpsd.v30i1.202
Semunyu Y.F & Rushahu, B.G (2023). Challenges and Coping Mechanisms in Sign Language Interpretation at the University of Dar es Salaam. Papers in Education and Development-Special Issue on Inclusive & Special Education
Rushahu, B.G (2022). Availability and Challenges of Guidance and Counseling Services for Female Postgraduate Students at the University of Dar es Salaam. Papers in Education and Development, Vol 40 No1
Maingi, J.W, Misigo, B.L & Rushahu, B.G (2022). Lived Experiences of Learners Living with Physical Disabilities in Selected Inclusive Primary Schools of Elgeiyo Marakwet County, Kenya. European Journal of Special Education Research, Vol 8 Issue 2.
Msoka, P., Possi, M. A. K., & Rushahu, B. G. (2022). Assessment of teaching approaches employed by teachers in teaching students with visual impairment in Tanzania inclusive secondary schools. Huria: Journal of the Open University of Tanzania, 29(2), 166–185. https://www.ajol.info/index.php/huria/article/view/261878
Rushahu B.G (2019). Barriers and Challenges facing Students with Disabilities in Higher Learning Institutions in Tanzania. A Paper presented in Germany on Beyond Boundaries: Inclusion, Diversity and Transformation in Schools and Universities in East and South Africa and Germany.
Rushahu B: G (2018). Policies and Practicalities of Sensory Impairment and Access to Higher Education in Tanzania: From A Gender Perspective. A paper presented in Dar es Salaam Tanzania on Sensory impairments and access to Education in Tanzania.
Rushahu, B. G (2017) Guidance and Counseling Services provided to students with disabilities in Higher Learning Institutions in Tanzania: Practices and Implications. A PhD Thesis submitted to the fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of PhD in Education of the University of Oldenburg, Germany
Rushahu, B.G (2015). Assessment of f HIV/AIDS and Life Skills Delivery in Primary Schools in Tanzania. World Journal of Education Vol 5 No 1. Canada: SCIEDU Sciedu
Press: DOI: https://doi.org/10.5430/wj
May-Aug 2012, Research and report writing on Transforming Education for Girls in Nigeria and Tanzania (TEGINT), funded by Comic Relief and the Tubney Charitable Trust, seeks to achieve a transformation in the education of girls in northern Tanzania and northern Nigeria by addressing underlying gender inequalities both in school and in the community, the project was coordinated by Action Aid.
Rushahu, B. G (2010). A study of HIV/AIDS and Life Skills Education Delivery in Primary Schools in Morogoro region, Tanzania. A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Education of the University of Dar es Salaam.
Aug-Nov 2010, Research and report writing in Tanzania General Election Monitoring Committee (TEMCO) at Micheweni Constituency –North Pemba