Bumbuli member of parliament January Makamba has stressed the need for changing the education policy and curriculum in order to improve the education sector in the country.

Makamba made the remarks over the weekend at the launch of Uwezo Tanzania’s 2011 Annual Learning Assessment.

Uwezo Tanzania has completed its second Annual Learning Assessment and has found results similar to its first year:

·         Only 3 in 10 Standard 3 pupils can read a Standard 2 level Kiswahili story

·         Only 1 in 10 Standard 3 pupils can read a Standard 2 level English story

·         Only 3 in 10 Standard 3 pupils can add, subtract and multiply at a Standard 2 level

Uwezo is building on its first year of research, which assessed over 42,000 children in 38 districts on Kiswahili literacy, English literacy, and numeracy. Uwezo found disturbingly low levels of literacy and numeracy among children. This year, Uwezo has greatly expanded its scale to include over 128,000 children across 132 districts.

Read the full report here

Dar es Salaam, September 15 – Uwezo Tanzania has completed its second Annual Learning Assessment and has found results similar to its first year:

·         Only 3 in 10 Standard 3 pupils can read a Standard 2 level Kiswahili story

·         Only 1 in 10 Standard 3 pupils can read a Standard 2 level English story

·         Only 3 in 10 Standard 3 pupils can add, subtract and multiply at a Standard 2 level

Uwezo is building on its first year of research, which assessed over 42,000 children in 38 districts on Kiswahili literacy, English literacy, and numeracy. Uwezo found disturbingly low levels of literacy and numeracy among children. This year, Uwezo has greatly expanded its scale to include over 128,000 children across 132 districts.

In addition to the main findings, Uwezo has studied related factors such as district variations and teacher absenteeism. Children with educated parents in urban districts who have attended pre-primary school were found to have the biggest advantages.

Hon. Zitto Kabwe MP and Hon. January Makamba MP delivered the keynote addresses to respond to Uwezo’s findings at the Report Launch, held at the Tanzania Institute of Education.

In addition to the keynote address and release of the findings, the launch event included an opportunity to discuss the findings in small groups with the people who led the research across Tanzania.

Uwezo Tanzania is a citizen-driven initiative aimed at promoting student learning throughout Tanzania. Its central activity is an annual assessment in Kiswahili literacy, English literacy and numeracy aimed at the Standard 2 level and given to children age 7-16. A large network of District Coordinators and volunteers enables Uwezo to reach every district. Building on this research, Uwezo then communicates its findings through publications, local and national events and other public engagement opportunities to foster a conversation on improving education.

Uwezo is hosted by the Tanzania Education Network (TEN/MET). Uwezo is also active in Kenya and Uganda; regionally, Uwezo is supported by Twaweza.

For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Brad Gunton at the contact information given above. You may also visit our website www.uwezo.net.

Read the report here

That a debilitating nationwide teachers’ strike now hangs like a dark cloud over the nation is a testament of the State’s floundering reform agenda in the sector.