DODOMA: PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has directed the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, to develop a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework in the education sector to facilitate implementation of the new Education Policy and Curriculum.
She said the goal is to achieve the intended results in strengthening the country’s education sector.
The Head of State issued this directive yesterday in Dodoma during the launch of the 2023 edition of the Education and Training Policy of 2014, held at the Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete Convention Centre.
“We need to continue improving the investment environment in the education sector, especially in technical education, so that the private sector can further support our efforts,” said President Samia.
She added, “This policy is well-structured and its goals are ambitious. The government alone cannot achieve them, nor can we rely solely on donors. The world is changing and every sector has its challenges, but by collaborating with the private sector, we can achieve great success.”
President Samia urged relevant ministries to prepare for collaboration with the private sector and explore effective ways to implement the policy.
She further said that the policy also involves expanding education infrastructure, which falls under the responsibility of the President’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government (PORALG). She directed the ministry to develop a strategy for implementing the infrastructure aspect of the policy.
Dr Samia said that the rapid advancements in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) could have both positive and negative impacts depending on how the society adapts.
Therefore, to align with these changes, ICT must be integrated into education to facilitate learning and equip young people with the necessary knowledge and skills for technological advancements without compromising their values.
Furthermore, President Samia stressed that the government must make adequate preparations to enhance education quality and better equip students with essential skills that will enable them to secure employment, become self-reliant and develop confidence.
She also reiterated that the goal of the policy reforms is to nurture a confident and well-equipped youth who can compete regionally and globally, leveraging the country’s natural resources for economic benefits.
While acknowledging the importance of resources and infrastructure in education, she said that teachers are the key pillar in the policy’s implementation, saying that the government will continue recruiting qualified teachers and providing them with the necessary training to align with the new education policy.
“We will review teachers’ welfare to ensure they receive the respect and recognition they deserve, as they are the foundation of all professions worldwide,” said President Samia. Dr Samia further said that under the revised education policy, students completing secondary school will acquire skills and competencies that enable them to contribute economically to their communities and the nation at large.
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“The improved policy will also introduce entrepreneurship as a mandatory subject for students from Form One to Form Four. This initiative aims to equip students with basic business knowledge, enabling them to establish their ventures based on the skills acquired in school nd maximise their economic benefits,” she said.
Additionally, to prepare youth for regional and global competition, she said students will be taught multiple international languages, including Chinese, French and Arabic.
These languages will enhance their communication skills, enable them to engage in cross-border and international trade without language barriers and open up new opportunities in the globalised world.
On another note, President Samia said that the government will review teachers’ welfare to accord them the recognition they deserve, as they form the backbone of all professions, the government will also continue hiring qualified teachers and equipping them with the necessary training to align with the new policy direction.
Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Adolf Mkenda, said that the new policy stems from President Samia’s vision for historical educational reforms.
Prof Mkenda said the Education and Training Policy of 2014 was initially launched in 2015. During its review, experts also examined the 1982 Jackson Makweta Report, which contained many recommendations that were never implemented.
For instance, the 2014 policy proposed six years of primary education and ten years of compulsory education.
“The President instructed us to engage the public and stakeholders to understand their expectations for the new policy. In our review, we found that many aspects of the 2014 policy remain relevant.
At the same time, the curriculum was undergoing revisions, but it was based on a seven-year primary education system. Additionally, many strategic education projects were in progress, all requiring substantial funding,” said Prof Mkenda.
He further said that after analysing global education systems, it was deemed essential to maintain the six-year primary education model and ten years of compulsory education.
“During the review, we found that some aspects of the 2014 policy remain relevant. We also noted that curriculum reforms were ongoing, particularly for a seven-year primary education system. Additionally, several strategic projects required funding,” he added.
