Government Agencies in United Republic of Tanzania

The education sector in Tanzania is co-ordinated and managed by two ministries, namely the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training (MoEVT) and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (MoHEST). The National Examinations Council of Tanzania (NECTA) under MoEVT is responsible for the administration of all national examinations in Tanzania, and also awards the official diplomas in primary, secondary and post-secondary education. The Tanzania Institute of Education (TIE) is responsible for providing and maintaining high quality and innovative education programmes by conducting research and evaluation, curriculum design and development, and providing teaching and learning materials.

Public spending on education was 6.2% of GDP in 2010.

One of the main goals of the National Development Vision 2025 is a well educated population benefiting from lifelong learning. This is to be achieved through universal primary education; eradication of illiteracy; and expansion in tertiary education and training.

During the early 2000s, the government’s education strategy was aimed at extending access to primary education to all children and retaining them through seven years of primary school. The government’s Primary Education Development Programme resulted in a very substantial growth in the net primary enrolment ratio: from 51% in 2000 to almost 100% by 2011.

From 2005, the focus of government strategy widened to encompass lifelong access to learning for girls and boys at all levels of school, and for women and men to literacy programmes, technical and vocational education and universities.