Education in Tanzania

In Tanzania, students who are least seven years old attend primary school until they complete Standard 7. This is roughly equivalent to elementary school and part of middle school in the United States. It is rare for students to attend preschool or kindergarten, since these level of education is not usually available. The vast majority of students attend government schools. There is no tuition charged in government schools.

Students who pass a national examination given after completing Standard 7 have the opportunity to go to a government secondary school. Others must find a place in one of the many private secondary schools. Tuition is free at government schools; students must pay for their schooling at private schools. Many students cannot afford the tuition at private schools, and cannot complete their education.

In secondary school students complete four years of O-level education (Forms I-IV). After passing another set of national exams students may go on to A-level studies (Forms V-VI). Those who successfully complete A-level studies and pass another national exam may attend university.

This is the entrance to Kolila Secondary School in Old Moshi. Kolila is under the authority of the Northern Diocese of the Kanisa la Kiinjili la Kilutheri Tanzania (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania). My wife was teaching Bookeeping and Commerce to O-level students there when I first arrived in 1999.

This is the courtyard of Kolila. The O-level classrooms surround the courtyard; A-level classrooms are behind the main building.

This is Moringe-Sokoine Secondary School in Monduli. Moringe-Sokoine is a private school under the authority of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania Arusha Diocese.

Regardless of whether students attend public or private schools, Tanzanian students must wear school uniforms. Students and their families must pay for these uniforms.