Tanzania – Private schools clash with government over pass marks

Private schools on Wednesday said the government’s directive to use 30 per cent pass mark average will reduce the quality of education.

Tanzania Association of Managers and Owners of Non-Government Schools and Colleges (TAMONGSCO) General Secretary, Benjamin Nkoya, said private schools set higher pass mark average in consultation with parents to boost the quality of education.

“Our main aim is to provide quality education. We will stick to it.”

Nkoya said in 2013, TAMONGSCO and Ministry of Education and Vocational Training agreed to use pass marks approved by parents and private school managements to improve education.

Christian Social Services Commission (CSSC) Director, Petro Pamba said their schools will not stop using their own grading system because it prepares students well and improve teachers’ performance.

Pamba said, “We have been using this system for the long time and the ministry is aware of this system.”
CSSC proposed the government rise Form Two Examinations pass mark from 30 to 40 percent.

According to Pamba the pass mark average in many private schools is between 40 and 49 percent, which is “constructive to the education system.”

Minister for Education and Vocation Training, Shukuru Kawambwa told parliament on January that private schools that will “use their own higher pass marks will face disciplinary measures according to Education Act (6) of 2011.”

Kawambwa was responding to MPs who said students in some private schools were told to repeat a class or shit to a new school if they do not meet their school’s average. Source: Pesa Times