Africa-Press – Tanzania. THE government has stepped up support for special education by continuing to fund teachers and expanding higher learning institutions and training colleges to admit more students with special needs, a move aimed at strengthening inclusive education across the country.
Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Prof Adolf Mkenda said on Monday that the government is committed to ensuring the provision of quality education for all by allocating increased resources to the sector.
He was speaking during the launch and distribution of vehicles, learning materials, and assistive devices for students and teachers with disabilities, as part of ongoing efforts to improve the learning environment for persons with special needs.
Prof Mkenda recalled that President Samia Suluhu Hassan, when inaugurating the 13th Parliament on November 14, 2025, stressed her administration’s commitment to improving the delivery of education for persons with disabilities.
“The President said: ‘As we advance inclusive development, we will continue the efforts we have started in providing infrastructure and materials for learners with special needs.’ Today, we are witnessing the practical implementation of her vision,” said Prof Mkenda.
He said the government continues to fund 2,000 teachers pursuing Diploma in Special Education annually, alongside 1,800 pre-service teachers and 200 in-service teachers at Patandi, Kabanga and Mpwapwa teacher colleges.
“The funding has helped reduce the shortage of special education teachers and ensures international standards in teacher-to-student ratios, which vary depending on the type of disability. For instance, students with multiple disabilities, such as being both visually and hearing impaired, require a 1:1 ratio,” he said.
According to the Minister, between the 2023/24 and 2024/25 financial years, approximately 3,033 inclusive and special education teachers benefited from the scheme.
He further noted that the government has expanded higher learning institutions admitting students with special needs from just one university in Dar es Salaam to 20 institutions nationwide, equipped with enabling facilities and infrastructure.
“This expansion allows students with special needs a wider choice of institutions and greater flexibility to pursue the courses of their preference,” he said.
Prof Mkenda also highlighted the growth of special and inclusive teacher training colleges from one to three, namely Patandi, Kabanga and Mpwapwa, a development that has significantly reduced the shortage of teachers in the field.
In the 2024/25 academic year alone, 1,212 teachers graduated from these programmes.
He noted that the government has also prepared, printed and distributed textbooks for visually impaired and low-vision students across primary, secondary and teacher training colleges.
The distribution covers early education, primary, secondary and general teacher training curricula.
“The availability of these textbooks has increased enthusiasm, efficiency and understanding in teaching and learning,” he said.
Prof Mkenda stressed that, alongside President Samia’s initiatives, the government continues to open doors to support efforts by the education sector in assisting students with special needs, as their requirements remain substantial, especially in assistive devices.
He called on institutional leaders and education stakeholders to continue collaborating with the government to promote and contribute to the implementation of inclusive education for persons with special needs.
