User:Ron Rieckenberg/Tanzania School System

Primary education (standard 1 - 7) at government run schools is tuition free. There are expenses for uniforms, testing fees and school supplies but nearly all families can find a way for their children to receive a primary education. There are private primary schools where tuition varies quite a bit and many are English language medium (classes taught in English as opposed to Swahili taught in government primary schools). There is a standardized national exam that students must pass to receive their primary school certificate.

The medium of instruction in Primary school is Swahili with English to be taught as an individual subject. In Secondary school the medium of instruction shifts; all subjects are instructed in English.

After completion of Primary school, Secondary School is organized into two stages. At the end of each students complete national exams which determine their subsequent access to education. At the end of Form 4, students may sit for Form 4 exams. This exam may be compared to British O-Level (Ordinary Level) Exam. Achievement on this exam determines admission to Forms 5-6. Completion of and achievement level on Form 6 exam determine admission to university. This exam may be compared to British A-Level (Advanced Level) Exam.

Since 2008, there has been a consistent downward achievement trend on the Form 4 exam. Tanzanians widely (and correctly when reviewing research) perceive deterioration of the education system (Form Four Examination Results). Some causes (among many) that can be attributed to this deterioration are: insufficient number of teachers, low teacher pay, lack of teaching and learning materials, insufficient English proficiency to successfully transition to the shift from Swahili to English as the medium of instruction from Primary to Secondary school, insufficient English proficiency of teachers, lack of teacher attendance, lack of educational infrastructure, and population growth.

Government secondary schools are not tuition free but tuition is TSH 20,000 per year (around $15 USD). There are several other fees to be paid in addition to tuition: testing fees, caution fees, watchman contribution, academic contribution, furniture contribution, identity fee, emblem fee and fee for lunches. Combined, this creates quite a burden on many families, especially large families, single parent families and orphans. Families where the parents do not yet appreciate the value of education, especially for educating girls, is often enough to keep them from agreeing to pay for schooling. Furthermore, the government only has sufficient space in secondary schools for approximately 1/3 of the students progressing from primary school. That creates a large market for private schools where annual tuition vary from around TSH 200,000 ($150 USD) to above the $20,000 USD range. A typical private school tuition is around TSH 700,000 ($525 USD). It is a difficult balancing act for the government, trying to keep education affordable while keeping the quality as high as possible.

By law, all secondary education must be taught in English (excepting Swahili class). For many students, English is their third language. Even though Swahili is the national language, there are approximately 120 tribal languages spoken in Tanzania. Especially in rural areas, Swahili is often not the first language learned by children. Secondary education has two levels. Open level is from form 1 through form 4. There is a national standardized exam taken at the end of form 2 and another at the end of form 4. After form 4, a certificate is issued to all passing the exam. Selected students may progress to A level education (forms 5 & 6). Not all schools offer A level classes and all students at this level are boarding students. Because of the potential problems associated with boarding both male and female students, A level schools restricts enrollment to either just male or just female students. Secondary education ends when students pass their form 6 national exam and receive their diploma.

Unlike schools in the U.S., there are no sports teams on an organized level, even though some schools may set up an informal competition against another school. There are after school activities such as debates and religious groups however. At all but the most expensive schools, students take part in school maintenance or other tasks such as gathering firewood for the school kitchen and tending school crops. The majority of secondary school students in Tanzania are extremely dedicated to their education and take the opportunity seriously. Lack of a proper study environment at home, their inability to master the English language, poor nutrition/ health and other economic related issues are the biggest obstacles students must overcome.