The Ministry of Education enacted the Education Act of 1962 to mark the beginning of reforms in the education sector, with major emphasis placed on preparing Tanzanians academically to fill government positions that had previously been occupied and later vacated by foreigners.

Accordingly, the Education Act directed all primary schools to extend the duration of their study programs to eight years and emphasized the importance of expanding access to secondary education opportunities.

Changes in education policy were introduced through the establishment of the Education for Self-Reliance Policy, which originated from the Arusha Declaration. The policy aimed to bring reforms in the education sector by addressing and eliminating various challenges inherited from the colonial education system that was still being used in independent Tanzania. The challenges of that system included producing graduates mainly for office jobs, separating students from their communities, and providing education that did not reflect the life and economy of society.

The global economic recession caused major social changes and created new momentum for free-market economic policies following the failure of socialist economic policies. For these reasons, the nation of Tanzania needed a new policy direction in education and training, especially following changes in broader national policies.