Project profile — Teacher Education Support Project - Technical Assistance

The Teacher Education Support Project (TESP) aims to improve girls’ and boys’ basic education, including reading, writing and mathematics skills, in Tanzania’s primary and secondary schools. It focuses on improving the quality of teacher training at the 35 government teachers’ colleges, and by strengthening the capacity of the Ministry of Education to manage the national teacher training system. The project provides qualified Canadian expertise in areas such as teacher training, using information and communications technology (ICT) equipment for teaching and learning, curriculum development, teacher college management and leadership and new gender-sensitive training approaches. This project helps to ensure that the national teacher training system is modernized, and that all new teachers graduate with enhanced skills to improve learning outcomes for Tanzanian students. This project is the Technical Assistance component supporting the implementation of the Teacher Education Support Project: Towards More Effective Basic Education, number CA-3-D000252001.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) improved quality and relevance of instruction for student teachers at 35 government teachers’ colleges; (2) more effective management of teacher education and professional development by the Tanzanian Ministry of Education; and (3) 35 teachers’ colleges are equipped with appropriate ICT equipment, textbooks and learning resources.

Results achieved at the end of the project (March 2024) include: (1) developed and implemented the Gender Equality Strategy for Teacher Education, reaching all tutors, board members, and management teams across teachers’ colleges. As a result, the proportion of student teachers applying gender-responsive and inclusive methods in their teaching increased significantly from 18.5% in 2023 to 42.3% in 2024; (2) provided technical assistance to develop an environmental sustainability and green design guide for constructing and operating teachers’ colleges. Also, developed and implemented the Environmental Strategy for Teacher Education, aimed at promoting sustainable practices across the teacher education system. The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology formally adopted both the guide and the strategy. They are now being used to inform infrastructure planning, operations, and environmental education across all government teachers’ colleges; (3) reviewed the primary school teacher education curriculum to align with system-wide curriculum reforms. The Ministry approved the updated curriculum, and all 35 teachers’ colleges adopted and are now implementing it nationwide; (4) provided professional development to all teachers’ college tutors in their respective subject area; and (5) strengthened the Ministry and teachers’ colleges project management and institutional planning capacities. As a result, the proportion of Teachers’ Colleges rated as “very good” in implementing their college management plans increased from 10% in 2017 to 42.3% in 2024.