On January 6, 2025, a groundbreaking partnership was formed in Tanzania to expand educational opportunities for prisoners. The Institute of Adult Education (IAE) and the Prison Service signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly provide adult education services within prisons across the country. This collaboration aims to support prisoners, inmates, and nearby communities by offering access to education, fostering rehabilitation, and encouraging lifelong learning.

Details of the Agreement

The MoU was signed by the Head of the IAE Prof. Michael Ng’umbi and Commissioner General of Prisons Jeremiah Katungu during a ceremony at the Tanzania Correctional Training Academy (TCTA) in Ukonga, Dar es Salaam. The agreement outlines a range of educational programs to be implemented in prisons, including:

• Formal Education: Primary and secondary schooling for prisoners.

• Non-Formal Education: Vocational training, life skills, and literacy programs tailored to inmates’ needs.

Prof. Ng’umbi highlighted the significance of the partnership, stating

This agreement will enable IAE to conduct its programs within prison facilities and register programs run by the Prison Service, a step that will help reach more citizens.

Commissioner General Katungu praised IAE’s involvement, noting:

Our service has various programs to develop prisoners educationally, including primary and secondary education; thus, this collaboration will bring significant benefits to the Prison Service.

Additional areas of cooperation include:

• Training facilitators to deliver educational programs in prisons.

• Offering prison officers opportunities to advance their own education.

• Leveraging the expertise and workforce of both institutions for development projects.

This partnership between IAE and the Prison Service reflects Tanzania’s commitment to education as a tool for transformation. By introducing tailored educational programs into prisons, the initiative supports prisoner rehabilitation and equips them with skills for life after incarceration. It also benefits prison officers and nearby communities, amplifying its impact.

The MoU signed makes a mark in Tanzania’s efforts to ensure education reaches all its citizens, including those within the prison system. Through this collaboration, IAE and the Prison Service are not only enhancing educational access but also reinforcing the idea that learning can empower individuals and strengthen society as a whole.

About IAE

Established in 1960 as part of Makerere University’s extramural studies under the University of London, the Institute of Adult Education (IAE) became a department of the University of Dar es Salaam in 1963. It was later established as an independent institution in 1975 under Act of Parliament No. 12, overseen by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. IAE is a leading centre for adult education in Tanzania, providing certificates, diplomas, and degrees, as well as post-primary education. With regional centres in all 26 regions of mainland Tanzania, IAE has extended its reach to grassroots communities.