Primary level of education 2013
In 2012, an in-depth study was carried out on learning outcomes in elementary school (UWEZO Tanzania 2012; test of 104,000 children between the ages of 7 and 16). The results were sobering: 50 percent of primary school leavers (standard VII) were unable to read a grade 2 text adequately, and the figure for grade 3 pupils was as high as 85%. The results in other subjects also showed a need for reform, especially English language skills. The test found that children from rural areas and from less affluent parents performed significantly worse. The director of the study said: “Tanzania is not a nation when it comes to education.”
The 2013 results were 20% better. The National Examination Council (NECTA) announced that out of 844,938 primary school pupils, 427,606 achieved more than 100 points out of 250 (grades A to C), which is 50.61%, compared to 30.72% in the previous year. Boys performed slightly better (55%) than girls (46.7%). 476 children with disabilities also passed the final exam. While their knowledge of Kiswahili improved this time, their numeracy performance deteriorated. Overall performance improved by 6.1%. 23,045 candidates did not appear for the examination.
In 2013, the examination papers were evaluated by computer for the first time (Optical Mark Reader – OMR). This meant that 301 correctors needed 16 days to evaluate the papers (2012: 4000 correctors 30 days). With the new examination papers, only 19 candidates were caught attempting to cheat (previous year: 293). Results by district: www.necta.go.tz/opendata/brn.
In the Morogoro region, 16% of school entrants from 2007 did not attend school until the final examination in 2013. The main reasons for this are truancy, pregnancy, illness and death.
Serious difficulties
Secondary schools also report pupils who are unable to read fluently. The chairwoman of the “Reading in Community” association commented that the government had presented good plans for school reform, but nothing had been implemented. Both the equipment in schools and the training and pay of teachers need to be significantly improved. Parents and society should also step up their commitment to education.
Predident J. Kikwete called on all school principals to report men who seduce and then marry primary school girls. This was the only way to secure girls’ right to education and prevent underage marriages. Kikwete gave this instruction after learning during visits that only 55% of pupils in the Geita region and 27.5% in the Simiyu region complete elementary school.
Rural schools in Zanzibar suffer from indiscipline and vandalism. Lessons are often disrupted by noise and things thrown through the windows from outside, such as stones, garbage and faeces. In one school, the windows were bricked up and only ventilated with fans. The island parliament expressed concern about the neglect of some children.
With Danish, English and Australian support, the Moshi City Council has erected a wall around Mwereni Primary School. It protects pupils with visual impairments and albinism, who previously often missed lessons for fear of being attacked. 2,212 children with albinism attend public schools, including 142 kindergartens, 1,337 elementary school and 393 secondary schools. One MP called on the government to provide special aids such as glasses and adapted learning materials for children with albinism and visual impairment.
The best
The teacher at Machari Primary School in Bagamoyo County received special praise because 11 out of 12 candidates passed the final exam. The teacher teaches 155 pupils under difficult circumstances: One blackboard for all classes, lack of books and school desks, no toilet, water 18 km away, infirmary 25 km away. The teacher explained that he felt let down by the village and the school authorities.
Tusiime Primary School (Dar-Es-Salaam region) was the second best of 15,656 schools. Its previous graduates also performed well at secondary school later on. The principal attributed the success to good equipment, continuous teacher training, high teacher motivation and intensive cooperation with parents. Citizen 14,18.11.13; Guardian 13.10., 03.11., 01.,31.12.13; DN 31.07., 18.,19.11., 05.,13.,15.12.13 Source (tansania-information.com)
