On August 13-14, 2024, a historic event unfolded at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology (MoEST), together with the Institute of Adult Education (IAE) and DVV International, was officially launching and disseminating the reviewed Integrated Community-Based Adult Education (ICBAE) Programme Guidelines. This event marked a significant achievement in the development of adult education in Tanzania and signalled the start of the nationwide implementation of the programme in communities. What is the ICBAE Programme? One may ask if it’s a new programme, but it is not, the ICBAE programme was initially introduced in 1993 as a four-year pilot project aimed at developing learner-centred and community-based learning methodologies for adults and out-of-school youth. Over the years, the programme expanded across the country, striving to provide equitable access to literacy and post-literacy education. Adopting the REFLECT (Regenerated Freirean Literacy through Empowering Community Techniques) approach, ICBAE integrated literacy education with problem-solving and socio-economic development issues. The programme's objectives were clear: to promote equitable access to quality basic education, enhance participation, and enable young people and adults to attain sustainable proficiency levels in literacy. Despite its initial success, the programme faced challenges. Enrolment numbers, once robust, began to decline significantly from 1.2 million in 2009 to under 0.2 million in 2017. This decline prompted MoEST, IAE, and DVV International to reassess the programme and identify areas for improvement. Two comprehensive studies conducted in 2022 revealed that the curriculum framework, which had not been updated for nearly 29 years, needed revision to address the evolving needs of society. "The newly revitalized ICBAE Programme emphasizes the need to strengthen ICBAE centers, with a key feature being the introduction of the Community Learning Center (CLC) model. The CLC serves as a one-stop center for youth and adult education, providing continuous education and lifelong learning opportunities that enhance personal, social, and economic development,” stated Prof. Michael Ng’umbi, Rector of the Institute of Adult Education. Hear the words from Prof. Ngu’mbi during his speech at the official launch of the ICBAE Programme conference: https://youtu.be/_nH_Ep6Ms48 A Collaborative Effort for Revitalization The Ministry, in partnership with DVV International, has reviewed the ICBAE curriculum comprehensively. The updated guidelines stress the importance of ongoing education and lifelong learning, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to strengthen the nation's educational capacity. The new ICBAE programme now includes key learning areas such as literacy and post-literacy support, life skills, entrepreneurship, agriculture, health, and pre-vocational skills development. These areas are designed to provide learners with the skills necessary for socio-economic transformation and personal growth. The review process was informed by multiple research studies, including the "Mapping of ALE Programmes to Inform the Review of ICBAE" conducted by the University of Dar es Salaam, and a Baseline Survey on Adult Learners' Needs and Demands Assessment by Knowledge Initiative (KI). These studies highlighted the necessity of updating teaching materials, facilitators’ guides, and learning resources to meet contemporary educational needs. "Life-long learning is a central building block for reducing poverty and infusion of equitable development in the society. But to achieve this more needs-based education opportunities must be made available for youth and adult in the disadvantage groups of the population" said Thomas Terstegen, The German Ambassador to Tanzania. Hear the words from the German Ambassador to Tanzania during his speech at the official launch of the ICBAE Programme conference: https://youtu.be/RlbuwyA6Xz0 The official day for Launch and Dissemination of the Programme Guidelines The two-day event brought together high-level officials, including representatives from partner ministries, development partners, universities, civil society organizations, non-governmental organizations(NGOs) and Folk Development Colleges (FDC). The German Ambassador to Tanzania, Thomas Terstegen, honoured the occasion, as did the guest of honor Monica Mpululu - Assistant Director of Quality Assurance at the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology. Other notable figures in attendance were Ms. Faith Shayo, Education Specialist at UNESCO, Ernest Hinju, Assistant Director of Special Needs, Adult, and Non-Formal Education at ADSNE, Dr. Naomi Katunzi, Council Chairperson at the Institute of Adult Education (IAE), and Prof. Michael Ng'umbi, Rector of IAE. "I believe that the ICBAE Programme guidelines I am launching today will assist adult education practitioners and professionals in effectively implementing them. Ultimately, this will lead to a nation with highly literate youth and adults who can actively participate in development activities, think critically, and solve problems within their communities," stated Hon. Monica Mpululu, Assistant Director of Quality Assurance at MOEST. Hear the words from Hon. Monica Mpululu during her speech at the official launch of the ICBAE Programme conference: https://youtu.be/ctd848b22s8 The first day commenced with keynote speeches that established the framework for the reviewed ICBAE programme. S. Mjangila, former Adult and Non Formal Education (ANFE) Director, emphasized the programme's ongoing significance, Dr. B. Kanukisya provided insights from foundational research, and Prof. Ng’umbi outlined the primary components of the revised guidelines. The official launch included a ceremonial ribbon-cutting of a symbolic book by the guest of honor representing the Reviewed ICBAE Programme guidelines and the presentation of certificates to the technical working group, marking a new era in adult education in Tanzania. "The ICBAE programme is a community-based programme because all its planning and learning approaches are bottom-up. This means that the community itself takes the lead in planning its development and determining the forms of learning that best meet its needs," noted Salim Mjangila, a former ANFE Director. The second day focused on disseminating the new guidelines and engaging stakeholders in discussions about the implementation framework and the positive impact of Community Learning Centers (CLCs). Participants engaged in gallery walks through workstations, learning about the upgraded learning areas, implementation procedures, and the role of CLCs as hubs for lifelong learning and ICBAE service delivery. These interactive sessions fostered fruitful discussions, allowing participants to gain a deeper understanding of the programme. Moving Forward: Expectations and Takeaways The launch of the revised ICBAE programme marks the beginning of nationwide effort to revitalize adult education in Tanzania. The programme is community-based, with all planning and learning methods originating from the grassroots level. This means that the community takes charge of planning its development and determining the most suitable forms of learning to meet its needs. The program aims to improve participants' literacy and numeracy skills, deliver education tailored to local contexts, provide vocational skills training, and foster critical thinking and problem-solving. “This collaborative effort reflects a commitment to the continuous advancement of adult education programmes in Tanzania,” remarked Frauke Heinze, Regional Director of DVV International East/Horn of Africa. Hear the words from Frauke Heinze during her speech at the official launch of the ICBAE Programme conference: https://youtu.be/lRe-OZuJIOk As the nation progresses with the implementation of the revised programme guidelines, it is essential for all stakeholders to work together to realize the vision of a literate, empowered, and prosperous society. The involvement of various stakeholders, including Ministries, development partners, civil society organizations, NGOs, and the donor community, is crucial for the successful implementation of the ICBAE programme. By adopting a learner-centered and community-based approach, the programme aims to change lives, promote socio-economic development, and contribute to the overall growth of the nation. Get a glimpse of the event through the video and pictures below. Event Video https://youtu.be/UB-wbu2GMZU Event Pictures https://dvv-international.pixieset.com/officiallaunchanddisseminationoficbaeprogramme/