Education before Independence
Traditional Education: The history of education on the Tanzanian mainland is divided into two parts that are before and after independence. Before the coming of the foreigners to the Tanganyika shores, each tribe had its own system of indigenous knowledge. Traditional education was a result of daily livelihood activities of various ethnic communities. It included knowledge, skills, values, culture, techniques and social protection procedures against plagues such as hunger,disease and hostile social security.This knowledge was transmitted and inherited from one generation to another. Lessons were peer-based and delivered by adults at home, at work and in other available spheres. With the commencement of colonial rule, this education system began to change in its goals and delivery.
Education during the Colonial Period: The first foreign visitors to the mainland were the Arabs who subsequently followed by the Portuguese, Germans and British. They took turns in ruling either parts of the country or the whole country. With each regime, the education system changed according to their interests regardless of what was beneficial to the Tanzanian mainland. The schools differed in terms of their goals, curriculum, qualifications and teaching professionals, language of instruction and the quality of school infrastructure and teachers' houses.
The coming of the Arab rule initiated Quranic studies. This education emphasized the propagation of Islam and the Arab culture. The German and British administration was preceded by the arrival of the missionaries. When they arrived, the missionaries offered classes based on their faith and the history of their countries. Education delivered by these missionaries asserted the propagation of Christianity.
The German administration emphasized education in skills, knowledge, occupational training and good citizenship with allegiance to the German Government. The British education system in Tanzania Mainland was racist and it provided opportunities and better educational materials for European and Asian children than their African counterparts. The main goal of education was to get the African workers who would serve in protecting the interests of the colonial rule, consequently making the African elite dependent.
Vision
"An educated Tanzanian with the requisite knowledge, skills, ability and positive attitude that add value in National development."
Mission
"To put in place and strengthen structures and procedures which will enable a country to get educated and continuous learning Tanzanians that add value in National development."
Core Functions
Ministry core functions are:-
- Policies on Education, Research, Library Services, Science, Technology, Innovation, Skills, Training Development and their implementation;
- Basic Education Development through Teachers Training Accreditation and Professional Development;
- Talents Identification and Development;
- Management of Folk Development Training;
- Management of National Qualification Framework;
- Skills Mapping and Development;
- Teachers’ Professional Standards Development;
- Schools Accreditation and Quality Assurance;
- Education Press Services;
- Promotion of Application of Science, Engineering, Technology and Mathematics;
- Development of Local Expertise in Science, Technology and Innovation;
- Research on Science and Technology;
- Performance Improvement and Development of Human Resources under this Ministry;
- Extra-Ministerial Departments, Parastatal Organizations, Agencies, Programmes and Projects under this Ministry.
Organization Structure
In order for the Ministry to carry out its mandate efficiently and effectively, it has been approved to have the following Offices, Divisions and Units
Basic Education Development Office with the following Divisions and Units;-
- School Quality Assurance Division;
- School Accreditation Division;
- Basic Education Policy Development Division;
- Basic Education Teacher Training Unit; and
- Basic Education Development Programmes and Projects Coordination Unit.
- Higher Education Division;
- Technical and Vocational Education and Training Development Division;
- Information, Communication, Technology and E-Learning Division;
- Regional and International Education Affairs Coordination Unit;
- Education Sector Performance Coordination Unit;
- Policy and Planning Division;
- Administration and Human Resources Management Division;
- Finance and Accounts Unit;
- Internal Audit Unit;
- Procurement Management Unit;
- Government Communication Unit;
- National Commission for UNESCO; and
- Legal Services Unit.
Official website: http://www.moe.go.tz