DODOMA: THE Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, in collaboration with the Prime Minister’s Office (Regional Administration and Local Government -PO-RALG), has received a preliminary report from the Committee for the Review of the Education Act, Cap. 353.
Speaking recently in Dodoma during a sectoral meeting convened to receive the report, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Prof Carolyne Nombo, said that although the Education Act of 1978 has undergone several amendments over the years, it still contains significant gaps that require attention to align it with current policy and administrative reforms.
She said the identified gaps include the age of entry into pre-primary education and Standard One, the duration of compulsory and pre-primary education, and the absence of legal provisions recognising learners with special needs.
Prof Nombo added that other areas requiring strengthening include child protection in schools, enhancement of governance and management structures within the education sector, and improved collaboration between the government and the private sector in the provision of education services.
She further explained that the review committee, established by the Ministry in May 2024 under the chairmanship of Prof Saudin Mwakaje, collected views from a wide range of education stakeholders and compiled a preliminary report.
According to Prof Nombo, the report will now undergo verification and refinement before being presented to stakeholders as a draft and later submitted to the Cabinet.
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On his part, Chairperson of the Education Act Review Committee, Prof Saudin Mwakaje, said the committee conducted an in-depth analysis of policy statements to identify those requiring a legal basis, with the aim of eliminating inconsistencies between policy and legislation.
He noted that the process involved extensive consultations with education stakeholders, including heads of education institutions, associations of private schools and college owners, professional associations, parents, teachers, students, organisations working with persons with disabilities, and development partners.
The review of the Education Act, Cap. 353 commenced after the Ministry’s legal team held initial consultations with education stakeholders in Dodoma in October last year to identify areas requiring reform.
Presenting the 2024/2025 budget in Parliament, Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Prof Adolf Mkenda, highlighted government initiatives to review the Act in order to align it with the 2023 edition of the Education and Training Policy of 2014.
Prof Mkenda said the move aims to maximise efficiency and improve service delivery in the implementation of the enhanced education curriculum.