The Tanzania Institute of Education (TET) is strategically leveraging the 49th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF) to deepen public understanding of the country’s newly reformed national curriculum, signalling a deliberate shift in how Tanzania prepares its youth for an increasingly competitive and digital global economy.
In what appears to be a turning point for the country’s education sector, TET Director General Dr Aneth Komba said the revamped curriculum prioritises practical competencies and entrepreneurial thinking, marking a departure from the traditionally exam-oriented model.
“Our aim is to nurture competent, creative, and self-reliant graduates who can either secure employment or generate their own livelihoods,” Dr Komba said on Tuesday during a visit to the Institute’s exhibition booth at the trade fair.
The curriculum overhaul, whose implementation began earlier this year, responds to longstanding concerns from both the private sector and education stakeholders who have criticised the mismatch between classroom learning and job market demands.
TET’s reforms appear to address these gaps directly, introducing competency-based learning, moral education, and 21st-century skills such as digital literacy and multilingual proficiency.
A particularly notable shift is the introduction of ethics and citizenship education in Kiswahili across all levels, a move that reflects the government’s growing focus on nation-building through values-based learning.
Experts see this as a strategic investment in social cohesion, especially as Tanzania continues to experience rapid demographic changes.
Beyond content revision, TET has also developed a national implementation strategy to support educators and ensure standardised delivery across schools.
Central to this effort is the wide distribution of government-approved textbooks aligned with the new curriculum.
Dr Komba urged parents, teachers, and education stakeholders to visit the TET booth to engage with these materials and understand their role in shaping future learners.
In a bid to democratise access to learning resources, the Institute is also capitalising on technology. One of its most impactful interventions is a zero-rated digital library, an innovation that allows students to read textbooks online without incurring data costs.
This is especially significant for learners in remote or underserved areas, where internet affordability remains a challenge.
“We are embracing technology to ensure that every child, regardless of their location or background, has access to quality educational resources,” Dr Komba emphasised.
As part of its golden jubilee celebrations, TET has launched a national campaign under the banner “One Book, One Student – Give a Book, Touch a Dream.”
The initiative seeks to close the resource gap by encouraging individuals and institutions to donate towards ensuring every student has a personal textbook and access to a computer.
Contributions can be made via account number 994040118259, under the Tanzania Institute of Education.
In another bold move to widen educational outreach, TET has launched TET SOMA KWANZA TV, an education-focused television channel designed to broadcast curriculum content, teacher training modules, and other learning programmes.
Dr Komba also toured other exhibition booths during the trade fair, underscoring the Institute’s collaborative approach to building a resilient and inclusive education system. Her presence served not only to promote the curriculum reforms but also to strengthen synergies with other public and private sector actors in the education ecosystem.
Analysts view TET’s multifaceted strategy combining curriculum reform, digital innovation, media engagement, and stakeholder mobilisation, as an important step toward modernising Tanzania’s education landscape.
As the country positions itself for middle-income status, the success of these reforms will likely hinge on how effectively they are implemented at the grassroots level.
With global economies increasingly driven by knowledge, creativity, and technology, Tanzania’s latest education reforms reflect a deeper understanding that sustainable development begins in the classroom.