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
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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.