The Agency for the Development of Educational Management (ADEM), in partnership with the Shule Bora Programme, has launched the 2025 National Academic Forum for Education Leadership, Management and Governance Stakeholders, in a move to strengthen quality leadership across Tanzania’s education sector.
Speaking during the launch in Morogoro on October 3, 2025, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Dr Hussein Omar, said the forum will enhance coordination of education services and resolve challenges in areas that often remain underserved.
“There are locations where services are missing because people and resources are concentrated in a few places. This platform will clearly show who is doing what and where,” he said.
Dr Omar explained that the initiative supports Tanzania’s National Development Agenda 2050 and the revised 2014 Education and Training Policy (2023), both of which underscore the role of leadership in building efficient institutions that prepare young people with skills for jobs and self-reliance.
“Research shows that school leadership accounts for nearly 27 percent of student performance, second only to teaching and learning. Heads of schools must therefore ensure their leadership supports teachers and students alike,” he said.
He added that empowering head teachers, education officers and supervisors will ensure education leadership remains professional and transformative, boosting the ministry’s drive for quality learning at all levels.
ADEM Deputy Rector, Dr Emmanuel Mollel, speaking on behalf of the Chief Executive, thanked institutions that joined the launch, saying the platform would support joint research to identify priority needs and deliver targeted interventions.
“This collaboration also opens doors for international-level training in education leadership and planning, which remains limited in Tanzania,” he said.
Dr Mollel added that the partnership between ADEM and non-governmental organizations would promote evidence-based decision-making, align national capacity development with international benchmarks, and strengthen institutions through skills exchange.
“By doing so, Tanzanian education officers will become more effective in managing resources, tracking policy implementation, and addressing emerging challenges in the sector,” he said.
Shule Bora Project Lead, Ms Virgin Briand, described strong school management and leadership as vital for quality teaching and learning outcomes.
“Our project is supporting training for school leaders so they can plan strategically and build positive learning cultures,” she said.
Deputy Programme Lead, Mr Benjamin Oganga, added that the forum would build professionalism and knowledge among school heads and officers.
One of the programme’s beneficiaries, Ms Tumaini Ruthless, said the leadership and management training had boosted her skills in inclusive education and participatory leadership.
“It has helped me involve colleagues and stakeholders in decision-making to improve learning outcomes. I encourage government to continue providing training for teachers and improving the learning environment in line with technological change,” she said.
Meanwhile, Opportunity Education Director of Teaching and Learning, Mr Laurent Gama, said the forum provides stakeholders a platform to evaluate investments in education leadership and ensure resources are properly directed.
“It allows us to see how investments will benefit communities, coordinate the use of resources, and strengthen collaboration among institutions,” he said.