Organization and Management

The Management of Education and Vocational Training is mainly through the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training, which currently has Minister, Deputy Minister, Permanent Secretary, Chief Education Officer and Directors: Director, Basic Education, Director, Secondary Education, Director, Teacher Education, Director, Policy and Planning, Director, Administration and Personnel, Chief Inspector of Schools. and Vocational Training

The Ministry consists of eight departments:

• Office of the Chief Education Officer,
• Basic Education,
• Secondary Education,
• Teacher Education,
• Inspectors of Schools,
• Policy and Planning,
• Administration and Personnel,
• Vocational Training.
• Higher Education

Other Semi Autonomous Government institutions and Agencies under the Ministry include:

• Tanzania Institute of Education (TIE),
• The Institute of Adult Education (IAE),
• The National Examinations Council of Tanzania (NECTA),
• Tanzania Library Services Board (TLSB),
• The Agency for Development Education Management (ADEM).

More generally, the provision of education and vocational training at all levels is a partnership exercise between the Government, Communities, the Private Sector and Civil Society (Religious Organizations, Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs), and Community Based Organizations (CBOs)).

Development Partners

Development Partners in education do play a supports role in assisting the education sector. These Dps include: Sweden, Japan, Norway, Germany, Belgium, United Kingdom, China and Southern Korea. The international organisations that have contributed into education and vocational training are: The World Bank, African Development Bank, NORAD, Sida, GTZ, DFID, WFP, UNICEF, UNESCO, UNFPA, UNDP, CIDA, ILO, EU, JICA, USAID, JOVC, VSO, Celtel, CBP, Peace Corps, Book Aid International, Aga Khan Education Foundation, Plan International, World Vision, Ireland Aid, Care International and different Non-Governmental Organisations.

Functions and Responsibilities of the Ministry

The primary function of the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training is to promote education and Vocational Training in Tanzania. The responsibility of the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training is to supervise, manage Pre-Primary, Primary, Secondary, Special Education, Adult Education, National Vocational Training, Teacher Education, School Inspection and Planning and co-ordination of all educational plans.

To implement these responsibilities the ministry is guided by: (a) The Education Act No 25 of 1978 (b) The Education and Training Policy; (c) Vocational Training Policy; (d) Tanzania Vision Development 2025; (e) National Strategy for Growth and Reduction of Poverty (NSGRP). In order to review the quality of education provided in all schools in the country, the Ministry inspects schools and administers national examinations for Std. IV; VII; Forms 2; 4; 6 and Teacher Education examinations.

The Ministry of Education and Vocational Training has continued with the supervision and management of the following responsibilities:

• Pre-Primary and Primary Education;
• Secondary Education, Ordinary Level (Form 1-4) and Advanced Level (Form 5-6);
• Special Education provided to those with disability for example the visually impaired, the deaf, those with learning disabilities and the mentally retarded, etc;
• Adult Education which include Basic Education and Secondary Education for children and adults who did not receive it in the formal system;
• Vocational Training.