The Tanzania 21st Century Basic Education Project improved classroom instruction in 900 lower primary schools in the Mtwara region and the islands of Pemba and Unguja in Zanzibar. It supported Tanzania’s efforts to improve learning outcomes—especially early grade reading in Kiswahili—through teacher support and training, technology in the classroom, and community engagement. It was funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development.
The program provided focused technical assistance and professional support to school administrators and education officials. Teachers received professional development in child-centered, active-learning pedagogy, as well as phonics-based reading instruction, classroom management and incorporating e-content into lessons. It introduced information communications technology and training into schools, bringing classrooms into the 21st century.
The Tanzania 21st Century Basic Education Project also worked with communities to ensure relevant, helpful educational data is being collected. The information was used to help parents, community leaders and education officials to make better decisions about education. It also provided technical and material support to Tanzania’s Ministry of Education and Vocational Training through access to real-time information on the status of their schools and the performance of their students.
