The deputy permanent secretary for the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Dr Ave Maria Semakafu, cuts a ribbon to launch the ‘Youth Question and Conflicts in Africa’ report at the University of Dar es Salaam. Right is UDSM Vice Chancellor Prof William Anangisye. PHOTO | ERICKY BONIPHACE
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The field work of the study that has been published in ‘A journal of African Politics’, was conducted between July and September 2017 in Mwanza, Arusha, Tanga, Mtwara and Coast regions, which have suffered from violent incidents related to insecurity.
Dar es Salaam. A new study has revealed reasons behind rising numbers of youths engaging in criminal activities.
Titled ‘The Youth Question and Conflict in Africa’, the study, conducted by the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), revealed that, among others, the youths, especially those of school age, fall into the trap of taking part in criminal activities due to the lack of a strong ten-cell (‘Nyumba kumi’) system as a response tool to create safer space for youths, men and women to engage in counter violence conflicts.
The field work of the study that has been published in ‘A journal of African Politics’, was conducted between July and September 2017 in Mwanza, Arusha, Tanga, Mtwara and Coast regions, which have suffered from violent incidents related to insecurity.
Presenting the findings at the launch yesterday, the head of Political Science and Public Administration Department of the UDSM, Dr Rasul Minja, said the youths who engage in crime can be transformed if given priority in security activities of their communities.
“There is a need to re-introduce the ‘Nyumba Kumi’ system as a formal local government stricture to serve as a space for community early warning and response against criminal activities including incidences of extremism,” he said.
The study also recommended a need to have in place gender-responsive community level security structure which is inclusive of all social grouping, priority being on the youth.
Speaking at the event, the deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Dr Ave Maria Semakafu, responded that the findings could be valid and that the government would work on it.
“This will be the practice, that is, to take studies conducted by higher learning institutions seriously. It’s evident that academic researches contain valid findings and recommendations,” she said at the event where she represented Education Minister Prof Joyce Ndalichako.
She added, “It is evident that education is the best solution to many problems that the society is facing. This is why the government is implementing the free education policy. Education will certainly help reduce crime,” she said.
The study was conducted with financial support from the Canadian International Development Research Centre (IDRC) under the facilitation of the High Commission of Canada in Tanzania.
