The number of candidates registered for Tanzania’s Form Four national examinations has increased by 13 per cent, with 667,040 students expected to sit the tests beginning tomorrow, October 19.
The increase, representing 74,202 additional school candidates compared with 2025, comes as the National Examinations Council of Tanzania (Necta) prepares to administer the Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (CSEE) amid heightened efforts to prevent cheating and ensure a fair assessment.
Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Necta Executive Director, Professor Said Ally Mohamed, said preparations had been completed, including the distribution of examination papers, answer booklets and other essential materials to examination centres across Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar.
Of the registered candidates, 644,085 are school candidates, while 22,955 are private candidates.
Girls account for the majority of candidates in both categories. They number 346,776 among school candidates, compared with 297,309 boys. Among private candidates, 12,732 are girls and 10,223 are boys.
The examinations will be conducted at 6,265 secondary schools and 802 centres for private candidates.
Professor Mohamed said the CSEE was a critical assessment of the knowledge and skills students acquire during four years of secondary education, with results determining eligibility for further studies and professional training.
“The results of this examination are used to select candidates for Form Five and various professional training fields, including health, agriculture and technical education,” he said.
With the number of school candidates rising, Necta has emphasised the need for strict examination management, directing regional and council examination committees to strengthen security and ensure compliance with established procedures.
Supervisors have been instructed to act professionally and impartially, while school owners and heads have been warned against interfering with their work.
Necta said examination centres found engaging in activities that compromise security risk having their examinations cancelled. Candidates caught cheating will also face cancellation of their results in accordance with examination regulations.
The council has also prepared arrangements for candidates with special needs.
Among school candidates, 910 have special needs, including 455 with low vision, 13 who are blind, 98 with hearing impairments, 21 with intellectual disabilities and 323 with physical disabilities.
A further 73 private candidates have special needs, including 69 with low vision and four who are blind.
Candidates who are blind will receive examination papers in Braille, while those with low vision will be provided with enlarged print. Necta has also provided for additional examination time for candidates with special needs.
Professor Mohamed said contingency measures had been put in place to address possible disruptions, including heavy rains associated with El Niño.
He urged parents, education stakeholders and the public to cooperate with authorities to ensure the examinations are conducted peacefully, warning communities against allowing unauthorised people onto school premises during the examination period.
The examinations are scheduled to run until November 6, 2026.