Meeting basic learning needs of all children, youths and adults is the ultimate target of most of the international and national communities as well as governments across the world. Tanzania, like all other UNESCO member states, has committed to EFA goals defined in the Dakar Declaration on Education for All and the Framework for Action.
This study focused on reviewing the achievements made and shortfalls encountered by Tanzania (Mainland) towards attaining the six EFA goals since the on-set of the new millennium. The study made use of documentary sources in which the researcher systematically and objectively researched evidences relevant to the study question. The analysis of the six EFA goals were categorized into three major themes namely early childhood care and education, universal primary education and gender and learning programmes for life skills and literacy. The categorization of these themes was based on the fact that quality (EFA goal 6) cuts across all EFA goals.
The results indicated that the country has attained momentous progress in universalizing primary education, closing the gender gap and meeting the learning needs of youth and adults through non-formal delivery modes. On the other hand, it has made little progress in providing comprehensive early childhood care and education.
The study further identified critical shortfalls facing the implementation of the EFA goals in the country. Among the major shortfalls are ensuring comprehensive early childhood care and education, quality education, education equity, learning programmes for disadvantaged population groups, provision of relevant literacy and life skills and management of the EFA statistics. This indicates that, still there is a long way to go in order to fully meet the learning needs of all children, youths and adults. Finally, the study recommends the country to undertake broad reflection on policies and practices to make the EFA goals viable.
Table of Contents
SECTION I
The Problem and Its Context
1. 1. Introduction
1. 2. Background of the Problem
1. 3. Purpose of the Study
1. 4. Specific Objectives of the Study
1. 5. Study Questions
1. 6. Significance of the Study
1. 7. Scope of the Study
1. 8. Research Methodology
1. 9. Organization of the Study
1. 10. Definitional and Conceptual Issues
1. 10. 1. Education for All
1. 10. 2. Tanzania and the EFA Movements
1. 10. 3. EFA Themes in this Study
1. 11. Limitations of the Study
SECTION II
Tanzania: Country Overview
2. 1. Introduction
2. 2. Socio-Economic and Demographic Overview
2. 3. Education system
2. 4. 0. Major Policy Reforms and Initiatives
2. 4. 1. The Education and Training Policy (1995)
2. 4. 2. Child Development Policy (1996)
2. 4. 3. Education Sector Development Programme (1997)
2. 4. 4. Tanzania Development Vision 2025 (2000)
2. 4. 5. Primary Education Development Plan (2001) and Secondary Education
Development Plan (2004)
2. 4. 6. The National Strategy for Growth and Reduction of Poverty (2005)
2. 5. Section Summary
SECTION III
Education for All: Status and Progress
3. 1. Introduction
3. 2. Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE)
3. 3. Universal Primary Education and the Gender Goals
3. 4. Learning Programmes for Life Skills and Literacy
3. 5. Section Summary
SECTION IV
Education for All: Some Shortfalls
4. 1. Introduction
4. 2. The Quality Puzzle
4. 3. Comprehensive ECCE
4. 4. Literacy and Life Skills
4. 5. Learning Programmes for Disadvantaged Population Groups
4. 6. Equality and Equity Promotion
4. 7. EFA Statistics
4. 8. Section Summary
SECTION V
Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations
5. 1. Summary
5. 2. Conclusions
5. 3. Recommendations
Study Objectives and Core Themes
The primary aim of this research is to critically review Tanzania's achievements and encountered shortfalls in meeting the six Education for All (EFA) goals since the beginning of the new millennium. By analyzing documentary evidence, the study seeks to evaluate the efficacy of national policies in improving primary education, early childhood care, and lifelong learning, while identifying systemic gaps that hinder the full realization of these international education targets.
- Review of national educational reforms and their impact on EFA goals.
- Assessment of progress in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE).
- Analysis of gender parity and universal primary education outcomes.
- Evaluation of literacy initiatives and life-skills training programs.
- Identification of systemic challenges in educational quality and resource allocation.
Excerpt from the Book
1. 1. Introduction
At the beginning of the new millennium, April 2000, Dakar- Senegal hosted a major global assessment meeting. It was the first and most crucial episode in education at the first light of the new millennium. It reviewed the progress towards achieving the goals set for basic education and the strategies adopted for overcoming obstacles and accelerating progress. The meeting provided a platform for discussion to refocus attention on basic education and reinvigorate efforts to meet basic learning needs. Through active interaction in the forum, emerged the six key goals of Education for All (hereafter EFA) and the Dakar Framework for Action. The goals (See Section1.2) aimed to meet the learning needs of all children, youth and adults by 2015 (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation [UNESCO], 2000). The framework for action comprised of strategies and plans of action designed to meet both existing and emerging challenges (Ibid). The framework expresses the international community’s collective commitment to pursue a broad-based strategy for ensuring that the basic learning needs of every child, youth and adult are met within a generation and sustained thereafter (Ibid).
The United Republic of Tanzania (hereafter Tanzania), like all other United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (hereafter UNESCO) member states, agreed on the implementation of those goals that were expected to be achieved by the year 2015. This study therefore, critically examined the achievements made and shortfalls encountered by Tanzania (Mainland) towards achieving the six EFA goals since the on-set of the new millennium. It draws much of the contents from the most recent data on core basic education indicators as well as other publications.
Summary of Chapters
SECTION I: The Problem and Its Context: Establishes the study's background, objectives, and research questions regarding Tanzania's commitment to EFA goals.
SECTION II: Tanzania: Country Overview: Provides a comprehensive context regarding the socio-economic status, demographic landscape, and major educational policies shaping the sector.
SECTION III: Education for All: Status and Progress: Reviews actual progress and achievements made in ECCE, primary education, and literacy programs since 2000.
SECTION IV: Education for All: Some Shortfalls: Critically examines the major hurdles in education quality, equity, and data management that remain unresolved.
SECTION V: Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations: Synthesizes the study findings and provides actionable policy recommendations for planners and educators.
Keywords
Education for All, Tanzania, Early Childhood Care and Education, Universal Primary Education, Gender, Life Skills, Literacy, Educational Management, Policy Reform, Quality Education, Non-Formal Education, Social Equity, Educational Statistics, Millennium Development Goals, Human Development.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this dissertation?
This study evaluates Tanzania's progress toward achieving the six internationally recognized Education for All (EFA) goals established at the 2000 Dakar Conference.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
The research is categorized into three themes: Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE), Universal Primary Education and Gender, and Learning Programmes for Life Skills and Literacy.
What is the overarching goal of this research?
The goal is to review achievements and identify critical shortfalls in Tanzanian educational policy implementation to provide informed recommendations for policy makers.
Which methodology was employed in this study?
The study utilized a documentary research approach, systematically analyzing government reports, statistical booklets like "Basic Education Statistics in Tanzania" (BEST), and international development indicators.
What does the main body of the work address?
The main sections cover the Tanzanian educational context, progress reports on EFA goals, and an analysis of persistent challenges such as the "quality puzzle" in primary education.
How would you describe the main keywords characterizing this work?
Key terms include Education for All, Tanzania, ECCE, gender parity, educational quality, and national policy reform.
What did the findings reveal regarding early childhood education?
The study found that while formal pre-primary enrolment has increased, it remains limited, particularly in rural areas, and is often not viewed by the government as a primary priority for formalization.
How does the author evaluate the "quality puzzle" in Tanzania?
The author argues that while quantitative expansion (more schools and students) has been achieved, it has often come at the expense of educational quality, evidenced by declining pass rates in primary leaving examinations.
What is the significance of the findings in Section IV?
Section IV highlights that systemic issues—such as lack of disaggregated data, resource constraints in rural areas, and insufficient teacher training—are critical barriers to realizing EFA targets.
What specific recommendations does the researcher provide?
The researcher recommends broadening policy reflections to include pedagogical renewal, formalizing and standardizing ECCE, and developing robust, disaggregated data systems to better monitor the needs of disadvantaged populations.
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- Joel Kayombo (Autor:in), 2011, Education for All in Tanzania - Achievements and Shortfalls, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/179354
