Primary, Secondary and Advance Secondary School
Syllabus
The primary school syllabus in Tanzania comprises four categorical
subjects. Mathematics, English, science (chemistry, biology and
physics), social studies (civics and history). Among of all these
subjects none of them directly related to impart personal financial
literacy to these young ones. With exception of mathematics which is the
subject that can be used as a foundation for analyzing mathematical
financial cases. Subjects like commerce and book keeping related to
finances are not taught at all in primary education in Tanzania. The
education system in Tanzania at primary school level doesn’t formally
embed formal courses special for financial education. Probably some
elective major course of commerce in some schools are taken by small
number of students. Nevertheless, the course teaches about general
financial matters lacking a specific focus on personal financial
literacy. Probably the society
culture has had much of the influence on this because issues of handling
finances is considered to be of grown up people. But in fact financial
education is as important to primary school kids to instill a sense of
financial responsibility at their present and future life.
At secondary school level the syllabus contents comprises subjects
namely: physics, mathematics, History, civics, English, geography,
Kiswahili, and biology, as mandatory subjects for all students. The
other subjects which are taught by schools on their choice basis
includes agriculture, bookkeeping, and book keeping. Among of the
mandatory subject only mathematics has some elements of imparting
personal financial literacy to the learner the rest of the subjects they
totally have a different focus. The elective subjects of commerce and
bookkeeping which are taught by few schools they are deemed to be core
subjects to impart financial knowledge to the learners. At this level
the system also offers almost the same picture of primary levels in
terms of offering financial literacy related courses. Probably there is
an advanced intensity of learning about accountancy and commerce at this
level relative to primary schools.
At advanced secondary school level, a system of combination of three
subjects is introduced. It is at this level where students specialize
more to prepare for their university studies. The only combination that
may seem to impart financial knowledge to the learner is ECA (economics,
commerce and accountancy) combination taught in few schools. Some of the
other combinations may involve one subject with financial nature; for
instance EGM has economics, geography and mathematics, HGE combines
history, geography and economics subjects. Even though there are more
specialization of the courses in advanced levels whereby students are
taught economics, commerce and accounting (ECA) as one of the available
combination. However, still the subjects are taught on the manner of
understanding the general financial matters not really focused on
personal financial literacy.