A total of 1,168,649 pupils from 20,019 schools across Mainland Tanzania are set to sit the 2026 Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) tomorrow and Thursday, September 9 and 10, with authorities urging communities to protect the integrity of the national examinations.
The National Examinations Council of Tanzania (NECTA) Executive Secretary, Prof Said Ally Mohamed, said yesterday that preparations for the examinations had been completed, including the distribution of examination papers and other materials to all regions.
Of the registered candidates, 637,182 are girls, accounting for 54.52 per cent, while 531,467 are boys, equivalent to 45.48 per cent.
Prof Mohamed said 1,081,204 candidates (92.52 per cent) will sit the examinations in Kiswahili, while 87,445 (7.48 per cent) will take them in English.
The examination will also include 4,867 candidates with special needs, reflecting efforts to ensure pupils with different abilities have an opportunity to participate in the national assessment.
The group comprises 82 visually impaired candidates, 1,551 with low vision, 999 with hearing impairment, 576 with intellectual disabilities and 1,659 with physical disabilities.
Candidates will be assessed in six subject areas: Kiswahili, English Language, Science and Technology, Mathematics, Social Studies and Vocational Skills, and Civics and Ethics.
Prof Mohamed said examination centres had been prepared to provide pupils with a safe and peaceful environment while minimising opportunities for malpractice.
He called on Regional and Council Examination Committees to strengthen security at all examination centres and ensure the process complies with NECTA laws, regulations, procedures and guidelines.
“Any candidate found cheating will have their results cancelled in accordance with the Examination Regulations,” Prof Mohamed warned.
He also appealed to parents, teachers and members of the public to support pupils during the examination period and report any actions that could undermine the credibility of the examinations.
The appeal comes as thousands of families across the country prepare to support pupils through an important stage of their primary education, with the examination results expected to influence their transition to secondary education.
Prof Mohamed said NECTA would take action against anyone found attempting to compromise the examination process, stressing that integrity remains central to ensuring fair results for all candidates.