The Government of Tanzania has launched a national Leadership and Education Management Training Programme aimed at improving the performance of secondary school heads and Ward Education Officers, in a move designed to strengthen school leadership and raise the quality of education across the country.
The programme was officially launched on May 28, 2026, in Mwanza Region, and is expected to improve how schools are managed, how teaching and learning are supervised, and how education services are delivered in both mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar.
Speaking during the launch, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Carolyne Nombo, said the initiative responds to a long-standing gap in structured leadership training for secondary school heads.
She explained that while primary school head teachers have for years benefited from leadership and management training, many secondary school leaders have not received similar opportunities.
This situation, she said, has affected consistency in leadership skills and school management practices.
Prof. Nombo said the new programme will provide modern knowledge and practical skills in leadership, governance, and education management, enabling school leaders to improve efficiency in their daily work and strengthen learning outcomes for students.
She added that the training will not only focus on secondary school heads, but also include deputy heads of schools and Ward Education Officers.
This approach is intended to ensure that all key education leaders work with a shared understanding in improving school performance and accountability.
The programme is being implemented in partnership with the Agency for the Development of Educational Management (ADEM) and VVOB Tanzania (VVOB Tanzania), which have been recognized for their role in supporting its design and implementation.
Prof. Nombo said the programme targets to reach 16,000 education leaders over a five-year period from 2025 to 2030. This includes 12,000 secondary school heads and their deputies, as well as 4,000 Ward Education Officers.
She noted that improving leadership at school level is key to strengthening discipline, improving supervision of teaching, and ensuring that schools operate more effectively for the benefit of students.
On his part, the Chief Executive Officer of ADEM, Maulid J. Maulid, said the training is important because many secondary school heads have long operated without structured professional development in leadership and management.
He said the programme will equip them with practical skills and new approaches to school management, helping them create better learning environments and improve student performance.
He added that strong leadership at school level is essential for improving education outcomes, as heads of schools play a central role in managing teachers, resources, and the implementation of education policies.
The launch of the programme reflects the government’s continued efforts to strengthen the education sector by investing in leadership capacity, with the aim of ensuring that every school is effectively managed and delivers quality education to Tanzanian students.
