Structure and System

Tanzania’s education system generally follows a 2-7-4-2-3+ model:

2 years of pre-primary education

7 years of primary education

4 years of ordinary secondary education

2 years of advanced secondary education

3 or more years of tertiary education

The medium of instruction in public primary schools is Kiswahili, while secondary and tertiary levels primarily use English. Private schools often teach in English from the start.

Governance and Policy

Education in Tanzania is overseen by the Ministry of Education, supported by agencies such as the Tanzania Institute of Education (TIE), which develops curricula and learning materials. The government has introduced several reforms to modernize the system—focusing on practical skills, technology integration, and workforce readiness.

Key Challenges

Teacher shortages and limited professional training opportunities

Overcrowded classrooms and inadequate school infrastructure

Low learning outcomes, particularly in literacy and numeracy at the primary level

Educational inequality, with girls, children with disabilities, and those in rural or low-income communities facing additional barriers

Limited funding, affecting the availability of materials and classroom resources

Current Efforts and Initiatives

The government, along with international partners, continues to work on:

Expanding access to early childhood and primary education

Improving teacher training and school inspection systems

Updating the national curriculum to meet current social and economic needs

Promoting gender equity and inclusive education

Key Facts

Public education is officially free at the primary and lower secondary levels, though families still bear indirect costs such as uniforms and supplies.

Enrollment rates have improved significantly over the past decade, but quality of education and learning outcomes remain major concerns.

Various programs have trained tens of thousands of teachers to improve literacy, numeracy, and inclusive teaching methods.