Article Sidebar
Julius Nyerere of Tanzania (1922-1999): Thoughts and Ideals that Shaped His ‘Education for Self-Reliance’ Philosophy-Cum-Policy in Education
Main Article Content
Abstract
Not all forms of education can fully satisfy the requirement of self-reliance and self-sufficiency in an individual. However, since self-reliance is essential to human potential, education should be oriented to serve this end. It must be carefully designed, delivered, and supervised to achieve its purpose.
Julius Kambarage Nyerere, first as a teacher and later as Tanzania’s national leader, dedicated himself to developing the idea of “education for self-reliance.” His vision emphasized that schools, particularly at primary and secondary levels, should nurture independence, creativity, and responsibility.
This paper argues that Nyerere’s philosophy remains highly relevant to current debates on the “Futures of Education, Culture, and Nature.” With adjustments to address implementation challenges and incorporation of 21st-century skills, Education for Self-Reliance offers a framework for quality education. It emphasizes both personal development and the collective good, making education not only a tool for individual advancement but also for building self-sustaining communities.
By revisiting Nyerere’s vision and adapting it to contemporary needs, education can regain its transformative potential. It can prepare learners to face global challenges while fostering cultural integrity, social cohesion, and sustainable futures for all.
Article Details
References
AAI [Africa-America Institute] (2015). State of education in Africa report. Africa-America Institute.
Auger, G. A. (1973). Tanzania education since Uhuru: A bibliography, 1961-1971, Incorporating a study of Tanzania today and yesterday and a guide to further sources of information on education in Tanzania. Institute of Education, University of Dar es Salaam.
Bennell, P., Bendera, S., Kimambo, E., Kiwia, S., Mukyanuzi, F., Parsalaw, W., & Temu, J. (1998). Vocational education and training in Tanzania in the context of economic reform. VETA.
BEST [Basic education statistics for Tanzania, published by the Ministry of Education and/or TAMISEMI, Government of Tanzania]. Various issues: 1980-84; 2020-2023.
Bitegera, H. E., & Bisanda, E. T. (2021). Overview of TVET institutional capacity in addressing dynamic labour market: The case of Tanzania and selected two Asian tiger nations. Huria Journal, Vol 28(1), 204-231.
Britain-Tanzania Society (1981). “Presidential commission on the education system”. In Tanzanian affairs. https://www.tzaffairs.org/1981/07/presidential-commission-on-the-education-system/.
Britain-Tanzania Society (1991). Tanzanian affairs, Issue N. 39 May 1991. Monthly archives: “The Zanzibar Declaration”. https://www.tzaffairs.org/1991/05/
Cook, J. W. (2019). “Learning at the edge of history”. In Justin W. Cook, Editor. Sustainability, human well-being, and the future of education. Camden, Palgrave Macmillan (pp. 1-29).
Curle, A. (1970). Educational strategy for developing societies. Tavistock Publications.
Curle, A. (1971). Making peace. Tavistock Publications.
Curle, A. (1972). Militants and Mystics. Tavistock Publications.
Curle, A. (1973). Education for liberation. John Wiley & Sons.
Curtis, S. J., & Boultwood, M. E. A (1964). A short history of educational ideas. University Tutorial Press.
Dewey, J. (1916). Democracy and education: An introduction to the philosophy of education. Macmillan.
Government of Botswana (1977). Education for Kagisano: Report of the national commission on education. Government Printer.
Hensen, K. A., & Hippach-Schneider, U. (2013). Germany: VET in Europe – country report 2013. Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB)
Hippach-Schneider, U., Krause, M. & Woll, C. (2007). Vocational education and training in Germany: Short description. CEDEFOP Panorama Series, 138. CEDEFOP [European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training].
Ishumi, A. G. M. (1976). Education and development in theory and practice. East African Literature Bureau.
Ishumi, A. G. M. (1974). Education: A review of concepts, ideas and practices. Dar es Salaam: Institute of Education, University of Dar es Salaam.
JMT [Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania] (1982]. Mfumo wa elimu ya Tanzania 1981–2000: Ripoti na Mapendekezo ya Tume ya Rais ya Elimu [Makweta Presidential Commission Report on Education]. Printpak-MTUU.
JMT [Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania] (1984). Mfumo wa elimu Tanzania: Maamuzi ya chama na serikali kuhusu ripoti ya rais ya elimu ya 1982. Wizara ya Elimu.
Jowett, B. (1871). The dialogues of Plato. Volume 1: Online library of liberty. https://oll.libertyfund.org/titles/jowett-the-dialogues-of-plato-vol-1
Lauglo, J. (1990). Vocational training in Tanzania and the role of Swedish support. Education Division Documents, No. 48. SIDA.
Lema, E, Omari, I., & Rajani, I. R., (eds). (2004). Nyerere on Education: Selected essays and speeches 1961-1997. Mwalimu Nyerere Foundation.
Mkude, D. J. & Ishumi, A. G. (eds). (2004). Tracer studies in a quest for academic improvement. Dar es Salaam University Press Ltd.
MoE [Ministry of Education] (1984). Basic facts about education in Tanzania. Ministry of Education.
MoEC [Ministry of Education and Culture] (1992). Basic education statistics in Tanzania. MoEC.
MoEC [Ministry of Education and Culture] (1996). Basic education statistics in Tanzania, 1991-1995: National data. Ministry of Education and Culture.
MoEC [Ministry of Education and Culture] (2000). Basic statistics in education, 1995–1999: National data. Ministry of Education and Culture.
MoEC [Ministry of Education and Culture] (2001). Basic education statistics in Tanzania, 1996-2000: National data. Ministry of Education and Culture.
MoEST [Ministry of Education, Science and Technology] (2023a). Curriculum for primary education standard I – VI. Tanzania Institute of Education.
MoEST [Ministry of Education, Science and Technology] (2023b). Curriculum for ordinary secondary education Form I – IV. Tanzania Institute of Education.
MoEST [Ministry of Education, Science and Technology] (2023c). Curriculum for secondary education Form V–VI. MoEST [Ministry of Education, Science and Technology]
MoEVT [Ministry of Education and Vocational Training] (2011). Basic education statistics in Tanzania, 2011-12: Revised national data. Ministry of Education and Vocational Training.
MoEVT [Ministry of Education and Vocational Training] (2005). Basic education statistics in Tanzania. MoEVT.
MSTHE [Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education] (2005). Report on the review of [the] technical training and education policy of 1996. MSTHE.
Mukyanuzi, F. (2003). Where has all the education gone in Tanzania? Employment outcomes among secondary school and university leavers. Institute of Development Studies at the University of Sussex.
Nyerere, J. K. (1960). On higher education. UDSM Alumni Newsletter, 7(2), November 2007.
Nyerere, J. K. (1967a). Education for self-reliance. Government Printer.
Nyerere, J. K. (1967b). Principles and development. Information Services Division, Ministry of Information and Tourism.
Nyerere, J. K. (1984). “The situation and challenges of education in Tanzania”. In Lema, E., Mbilinyi, M., & Rajani, R, (eds). Nyerere on education: Selected essays and speeches [Nyerere kuhusu Elimu], 1954-1998. HakiElimu, E&D Limited & The Mwalimu Nyerere Foundation.
Nyerere, J. K. (1988), “Twenty years of education for self-reliance”. In national symposium on twenty years of education for self-reliance: A Report by the Tanzania Teachers Professional Association (CHAKIWATA) on the Symposium organized at Marangu College of Education, Moshi, September 1988.
OECD [Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development]. (2007). Development Co-operation Report 2007. OECD.
President’s Office - Regional Administration and Local Government [PO-RALG]. (2021). Pre-primary, primary, secondary, adult and non-formal education statistics: Regional data. PO-RALG.
President’s Office - Regional Administration and Local Government [PO-RALG]. (2022). Pre-primary, primary, secondary, adult and non-formal education statistics: Regional data. PO-RALG.
President’s Office - Regional Administration and Local Government [PO-RALG]. (2023). Pre-primary, primary, secondary, adult and non-formal education statistics: Regional data. PO-RALG.
Raami, A. (2019). “Towards solving the impossible problems”. In Justin W. Cook, Ed (2019). Sustainability, human well-being, and the future of education. (pp. 201-233): Palgrave Macmillan
Redecker, M., Wihstutz, A., & Mwinuka, J. (2000). Vocational education and training by government in Tanzania. VETA/GTZ.
Rusk, R. R. (1965). The doctrines of the great educators. Macmillan.
Semboja, H. (2007). The youth employment in East Africa: An integrated labour market perspective. African Integration Review. REPOA 19th Annual Research Workshop.
Shitundu, J. (2007). Emerging problems of educated unemployed in Tanzania: Issues and policy options. Economic Research Bureau Policy Brief Series, No.5. UDSM Economic Research Bureau.
Smith, E. W. (1929). Aggrey of Africa: A study in black and white. The Friendship Press [for The Phelps-Stokes Fund].
Trilling, B. & Fadel, C. (2009). 21st Century Skills: Learning for life in our times. John Wiley and Sons.
UDSM [University of Dar es Salaam] (2024). Tracer studies for academic improvement and institutional development: A report on a tracer study conducted by the University of Dar es Salaam in 2023. UDSM (In print).
UNESCO (n.d). Futures of education. https://www.unesco.org/en/futures-education.
VIA University College Denmark [Project] (n.d). The futures of education, culture and nature (FECUN). https://en.via.dk/research/inniovation-and-entrepreneurship/futures-of-education-culture-and-nature.