The Tanzanian Minister for Education, Prof Adolf Mkenda, has asked the National Examinations Council of Tanzania (NECTA) to reinforce the credibility of its examinations and overhaul how students are assessed, according to Daily News. He made the call in Dar es Salaam while swearing in the council's new board.
According to the outlet, the minister said assessments should measure more than a student's capacity to reproduce memorised material. He argued that examinations ought to gauge critical thinking, analytical ability and how well candidates handle questions they have not encountered before.
Why it matters
Daily News reports that Prof Mkenda framed examination integrity as a foundation for producing competent graduates who can contribute to national development. In his view, strong examination management underpins the supply of quality professionals, and the credibility of results must be defended.
The minister's remarks place the country's testing body at the centre of a broader question: whether Tanzania's education system is turning out people equipped for the problems they will meet in the workplace. He said reforms of this kind are needed so that graduates leave with the skills and competence the country requires.
New board charged with raising standards
Prof Mkenda noted that NECTA has remained stable and has carried out its responsibilities effectively, and he asked the incoming board and management to use that record as a starting point for further improvements to assessment systems, Daily News reports. He also called on board members to cooperate closely with management on examination administration and to uphold professional standards.
He congratulated the board's new chairperson, Prof Alfred Said Sife, whose appointment was made by President Samia Suluhu Hassan. The minister said the appointment had reinforced confidence in the council's leadership, and he thanked the other members for taking on the role, urging them to serve with integrity and professionalism.
Daily News lists the appointed members as Prof Hassan Rashid Ali of the State University of Zanzibar (SUZA), who is vice-chairperson; Prof Makenya Abraham Maboko of the University of Dar es Salaam; Prof Razack Bakari Lokina, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Dodoma; and Dr Aneth Anselm Komba, Director-General of the Tanzania Institute of Education (TIE).
The board is expected to work alongside NECTA management to tighten examination administration and raise assessment standards.
Watch for how the new board translates the minister's direction into changes to exam formats and marking.
