Viewpoint: Environmental Education Curriculum Policy in Tanzanian Schools

Abstract

This viewpoint paper examines environmental education policy in practice in Tanzania in the context of the primary school curriculum. This policy review stretches back to the mid-1960s, when major curricula changes were effected, to the present. The paper highlights efforts during this period to provide relevant education and enhance development of environmental education skills as well as life skills for school candidates and community members. This paper provides background information and highlights several issues associated with current policies in operation, including interpretations of policy and implementation. It identifies some of the key achievements and makes recommendations for strengthening the implementation of policy in practice. A number of relevant documents were drawn on in this study, augmented by field observations. The study found that the school curriculum, which is the vehicle for translating policy into actions is not adequately implemented due to poor defining of environmental education in early policy documents.