Languages of Instruction in Tanzania: Contradictions between Ideology, Policy and Implementation

Abstract

Contradictions exist among ideologies, language policy statements, and practice regarding the language of instruction (LoI) in primary education in Tanzania. In 1961, independent Tanzania inherited colonial education, using Swahili and English. When socialism was introduced in 1967, Swahili was declared the only LoI. The government legalized private and English-medium schools in the 1990s but maintained Swahili as the LoI. There is an English syllabus for English-medium schools, while the Primary School Leaving Examination is administered in Swahili and English. However, only the elite can afford Englishmedium education. The majority of children attend Swahili-medium government schools. The government needs to firmly establish that both Swahili and English are LoI of primary education, because English is the LoI of secondary and post-secondary education. The government must enable all children to master both languages in order for them to acquire an education that allows them to compete favourably for employment.