Adult and Non-Formal Education (ANFE) plays a crucial role in Tanzania's development. With an illiteracy rate of 18.2% (NBS, 2022) and a significant number of students dropping out of education (329,918 in 2022 alone), DVV International, the world's only professional organization dedicated to the field of Adult Learning and Education (ALE), has supported the Government in Tanzania to revitalize the ANFE sector since 2021.

The government has demonstrated its commitment to promoting ALE in Tanzania, as evidenced by a recent four-day technical meeting organized by the President’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG) and co-funded by DVV International from July 1st to 4th. This meeting, held in the Morogoro Region, brought together Regional Adult Education Officers (RAEOs) from all mainland districts of Tanzania, as well as selected District Special Needs Education Officers. The primary aim was to address and enhance ANFE and special needs education, focusing on improving effectiveness, collaboration, and professional growth

Key Remarks by Dr. Charles Msonde

The Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Office of the President TAMISEMI (Education), Hon. Dr. Charles Msonde, guest of honour, spoke about the future of ANFE in Tanzania. He emphasized the need for community learning centres and data-driven implementation, highlighting the importance of utilizing available data from the 2022 census, and stressing the importance of collaboration across various sectors:

“Every Council should have community learning centres for Adult and Non-Formal Education. Adult Education officers should use the available data from 2022 census reports, to determine the community needs … for better implementation of Adult and Non-formal Education in their area.”

“Each region should develop the capacity of Adult and Non-Formal Education and special needs education managers in integrated Adult and Non-Formal Education, collaborating with professionals from various sectors including Health, Community Development, Agriculture, Fisheries, Special Education, Engineering, and residence instructors.”

Meeting Outcomes and Agreements

The meeting was successful, with participants agreeing on several objectives aimed at enhancing ANFE sector in Tanzania, including:

● Establishing Community Learning Centres (CLCs): Each ward council should have CLCs for ANFE to promote local ownership by utilizing existing government and community structures.

● Data-Driven Implementation: Using census data to tailor ANFE programmes to community needs ensures that resources are allocated effectively and programmes are relevant to the community.

● Intersectoral Coordination: Regional and district managers in ANFE and special needs education will receive training in integrated approaches, collaborating with professionals from various sectors including Health, Community Development, Agriculture, Fisheries, Special Education, Engineering, and residence instructors to ensure a comprehensive approach to adult education.

● Committee Involvement: Involvement of the ANFE Committee at all governance levels under PO-RALG (Ministry, Councils, and Wards) is crucial. This ensures that adult education is prioritized and integrated into broader development plans.

● Annual Adult Education Week: Organizing and overseeing Adult Education Week and inclusive education annually fosters awareness and engagement in adult education.

Participants agreed on the importance of building interpersonal relationships among officers, gaining insights from retired officers and reviewing guidelines and policies on ANFE and Inclusive Education. The need for sufficient funding, increased access, skilled teachers, and adequate infrastructure were identified as key challenges that need to be addressed.

DVV International's Role and Impact

DVV International has been playing a pivotal role in promoting ALE in Tanzania since 2021. As a globally acting professional organisation for adult education, it builds a sustainable system for further education along with citizens, educational organisations and governments. DVV International works under a Memorandum of Understanding with MoEST and the President's Office, Regional Administration, and Local Government (PO-RALG) to provide technical and financial support, enhancing ALE systems by aligning efforts with government structures and existing programs.

Key Focus Areas of DVV International's Work in Tanzania

● Macro Level: Providing technical support for policy development and national programme implementation. DVV International has supported MoEST and IAE in reviewing the ICBAE programme guidelines and facilitators’ guides.

● Meso Level: Offering capacity development through training, mentoring, and exchange visits to ensure functional and sustainable ALE structures. Training Master trainers based on the Curriculum GlobALE framework and implementing teaching methodologies for district local governments and Folk Development Colleges.

● Micro Level: Piloting CLCs for comprehensive and needs-based adult education services. DVV International has piloted four CLC models in Kongwa, Mpwapwa (Dodoma region), Kibaha, and Kisarawe (Coastal region).

The collaboration between government entities and DVV International signifies a promising future for adult education in Tanzania. This meeting is another milestone in strengthening the ANFE sector in the country. It is expected that the support by DVV International will lead to further significant improvement in the provision and management of ANFE. This partnership will undoubtedly benefit Tanzania's adult education sector, ensuring that more adults have access to quality education and training opportunities.