Innovative Research Award
Researcher: Noela Ndunguru | Institution: University of Dar Es Salaam | Country: Tanzania
Dr. Noela Ndunguru is a Lecturer in Special and Inclusive Education at the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Her research addresses parental engagement, teacher experiences, and educational financing for children with autism spectrum disorder in inclusive settings [1]. This article presents her academic profile and assesses her suitability for the Innovative Research Award associated with the Top Teachers Awards event [2].
Abstract
This article profiles Dr. Noela Ndunguru, a researcher in special and inclusive education at the University of Dar es Salaam. Her work examines parental and teacher experiences, autism awareness, and education financing in Tanzania [1]. The article reviews her research contributions and evaluates her alignment with the Innovative Research Award criteria [2].
Keywords
- Special education, Inclusive education, Autism spectrum disorder, Parental engagement, Teacher experiences, Education financing, Tanzania
Introduction
Special and inclusive education has become a central concern in Tanzanian education policy, particularly regarding children with autism spectrum disorder. Research indicates that parents and teachers face substantial challenges in providing adequate support within mainstream primary schools [1]. Dr. Noela Ndunguru has contributed to this field through studies on parental knowledge, teacher coping strategies, and the financing of education for children with autism [3]. Her academic career at the University of Dar es Salaam spans teaching, supervision, and consultancy in educational psychology and inclusive education [2].
Research Profile
Dr. Noela Ndunguru holds a Ph.D. in Education from the University of Dar es Salaam, completed between 2020 and 2024. Her doctoral thesis examined parents’ and teachers’ experiences in supporting children with autism in Tanzanian primary schools [1]. She also holds a Master of Arts in Applied Social Psychology and a Bachelor of Education in Psychology from the same institution [2]. Her Scopus author profile and Research Scholarly records three documents and twenty-seven citations, with special education as the primary subject area [4].
Her research interests include parental engagement in the education and development of children with autism, teachers’ experiences in inclusive classrooms, and the coping strategies adopted by families and educators. She teaches educational psychology, counselling, and special and inclusive education, and supervises postgraduate research at the University of Dar es Salaam [2].
Research Contributions
Dr. Noela Ndunguru’s research has addressed several understudied areas in Tanzanian special education. Her work on the financing of education for children with autism spectrum disorder examines how parents and teachers perceive and manage the costs of inclusive schooling [3]. A related study investigates the challenges teachers encounter when supporting children with autism in primary schools, highlighting gaps in training and resources [1].
She has also contributed to broader educational research, including literacy and numeracy teaching practices in Tanzanian classrooms [5]. Her consultancy work includes developing life skills curricula and textbooks for vocational education in Tanzania, supported by the Tanzania Institute of Education and the Vocational Education and Training Authority [2].
Publications
Dr. Noela Ndunguru has published three indexed works on autism support, inclusive education, and classroom practice in Tanzania, with a further article forthcoming in Cogent Education examining education financing for children with autism [1] [3] [5].
- Ndunguru, N. E., & Kisanga, S. E. (2026). Financing Education for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Tanzania: Perspectives from Parents and Teachers. Cogent Education, 13(1), 2728201. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2026.2728201
- Ndunguru, N., & Kisanga, S. E. (2023). Challenges Encountered by Teachers in Supporting Children with Autism in Primary Schools in Tanzania. Papers in Education and Development: Special Issue on Inclusive and Special Education, 41(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2026.2728201
- Anney, V. N., Mmasa, M., & Ndunguru, N. (2016). Literacy and Numeracy Teaching in Tanzanian Classrooms: Insights from Teachers’ Classroom Practices. Journal of Education and Practice, 7(9), 137–154. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1095841
Research Impact
According to metrics, Dr. Noela Ndunguru’s publications have received twenty-seven citations across three indexed documents [4]. Her work is cited in studies on inclusive education, autism support, and educational financing in sub-Saharan Africa [3]. The interdisciplinary nature of her research, bridging educational psychology and special education, has contributed to policy discussions on teacher training and parental involvement in Tanzania [1].
Award Suitability
The Innovative Research Award recognizes researchers whose work demonstrates originality, social relevance, and potential for impact. Dr. Noela Ndunguru’s research on autism support and inclusive education in Tanzania aligns with these criteria, particularly given the limited empirical literature on autism in East African primary schools [1]. Her focus on parental engagement and teacher coping strategies addresses practical challenges in implementing inclusive education policies [3].
Her affiliation with the University of Dar es Salaam and her active Scopus and ORCID profiles provide verifiable evidence of scholarly output [4] [6]. The Top Teachers Awards event, which hosts the Innovative Research Award, emphasizes teaching excellence and research contribution, both of which are reflected in her academic roles [2].
Conclusion
Dr. Noela Ndunguru is an emerging scholar in special and inclusive education whose research addresses critical gaps in autism support and educational financing in Tanzania [1]. Her Research Scholarly record of three documents and twenty-seven citations, combined with her teaching and consultancy experience, indicates a developing research profile with practical relevance [4]. Her work is consistent with the objectives of the Innovative Research Award and the Top Teachers Awards event [2].
External Links
References
- Ndunguru, N. E., & Kisanga, S. E. (2023). Challenges encountered by teachers in supporting children with autism in primary schools in Tanzania. Papers in Education and Development: Special Issue on Inclusive and Special Education, 41(1).
https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2026.2728201
- Top Teachers Awards. (n.d.). Innovative Research Award event information. Top Teachers Network.
https://topteachers.net/
- Ndunguru, N. E., & Kisanga, S. E. (2026). Financing education for children with autism spectrum disorder in Tanzania: Perspectives from parents and teachers. Cogent Education, 13(1), 2728201.
https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2026.2728201
- Elsevier. (n.d.). Scopus author details: Noela Ndunguru, Author ID 60850738000. Scopus.
https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=60850738000
- Anney, V. N., Mmasa, M., & Ndunguru, N. (2016). Literacy and numeracy teaching in Tanzanian classrooms: Insights from teachers’ classroom practices. Journal of Education and Practice, 7(9), 137–154.
https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1095841
- ORCID. (n.d.). Noela Ndunguru ORCID profile: 0000-0001-8125-5096. ORCID Registry.
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8125-5096