The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Teaching and Learning Process in Higher Learning Institutions in Tanzania: A Case of Mwanza Region

Abstract

This study examined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on teaching and learning process in higher learning institutions in Mwanza, Tanzania. The study intended to explore the negative impact of this pandemic on higher education, and also to identify the possible measures to overcome the negative impact of this pandemic. The study has adopted a mixed research approach and an explanatory sequential mixed design. It has involved 188 participants, and data was collected using questionnaires and an interview guide. Content and face validity of research instruments were cross-checked by different research experts. Furthermore, the reliability of research instruments was checked using the split-half technique. Finally, the study discovered some negative impacts which are; slowing down the participation and interaction in teaching and learning which has hindered the attainment of teaching and learning goals. The study has put forward some possible measures to overcome the negative impact of this pandemic which are: to strengthen the e-learning infrastructures, construct more classrooms, and employ more teaching staffs. Then the study recommends that the government of Tanzania and all the educational stakeholders should take education as its number one priority and finance it effectively to ensure a profitable educational process during and after the pandemic.