The Post-Independence Era and the Influence of Nyerere's Thoughts on Education in Tanzania

Nyerere's thoughts on education were shaped by many factors and situations through which Tanganyika (now Tanzania) had experienced. From early 1880's Tanganyika was colonized by the Germany whom after her defeat in the First World War (WWI), her colonies including Tanganyika (now Tanzania) was placed under British rule from 1920 to early 1961. All along colonial epoch, education in Tanzania was not aimed at liberating Africans from the ties of dependency and ignorance. This triggered MwalimuNyerere to think and invent his new socialistic approach of looking at education called "Education for Self Reliance" which was officially introduced during Arusha declaration in 1967. There has been an un-answered cry from the Tanzanian community and some members of the Parliament that Tanzanian education has to be reformed to meet the current market needs that require people who are skillful and not persons acquainted by theoretical knowledge that cannot be translated in reality. This paper aimed at exploring Nyerere's educational thoughts and its influence on Tanzanian education with specific look on Tanzania's educational policy during his reign of the presidency to evaluate the influence of Nyerere's thoughts on Tanzania development in relation to education. Additionally, the purpose of this paper was to describe mechanisms to embrace Nyerere's thoughts in education practice and development. The findings showed that Nyerere's thoughts on education have remained paper records which are hardly translated into practicability. The education policies still recognize the presence of education for self-reliance but the level of graduate un-employability go up and up. The findings also show that the Tanzania has been taking different initiatives towards developing a self-reliant state including construction of standard gauge railways line. This paper is important because it serves as a constant reminder to educational planners.