THE government is finalising an action plan to introduce constitutional and citizenship education in primary and secondary schools and vocational education and training institutions.

Dr Franklin Rwezimula, Constitution and Legal Affairs deputy permanent secretary unveiled this plan when opening a working session on rolling out the plan, intended to further foster patriotism across the country.

The planned curriculum was developed by the ministry in collaboration with education stakeholders, to instill a sense of national pride and responsibility among pupils and students.

He asserted that the initiative would catalyze positive societal change, fostering increased patriotism, adherence to the constitution, national unity, and democratic participation, while also promoting peace and stability in the country.

“This education will help prepare young people to be fully aware of their rights and duties towards their country,” he said, underlining the belief that education provided from early childhood to upper levels will empower the next generation.

Those passed through this curriculum will become ethical, skilled, knowledgeable, and true patriots who love their country, he said, insisting that “this is an essential step, as the nation requires a generation of patriots to preserve the peace we enjoy.”

He said the current generation faces challenges posed by its limited understanding of patriotism, ethics, and human rights, hinting that this can sometimes result in societal unrest.

Teaching constitution and citizenship inspires young people and contributes to stakeholders assisting in facilitating the provision of this education in schools and vocational institutions across the country, he said.

Educational modules for the curriculum for use in vocational training colleges are in the final stages of preparation, for inclusion in the syllabi of such colleges from early next year, he said.

The working session was intended to review the action plan and ensure that constitution and citizenship topics are effectively incorporated in school and college syllabi, he elaborated, noting that the meeting follows extensive consultations with experts with the relevant ministries.

These are Constitution and Legal Affairs, Education, Science and Technology, Regional Administration, and Local Governments in the President’s Office, coordinated by the Tanzania Institute of Education (TIE).

Experts provided recommendations on the content of the constitution and citizenship education in line with the updated 2023 curricula, with a second meeting with VETA tutors.

They were tasked with developing educational modules to be added to the vocational school's syllabi, while a third meeting sought to align understanding of the constitution and citizenship content, setting out the best approach to tasking up these topics, he said.

The final meeting involved VETA experts and the Lushoto Institute of Judicial Administration (IJA) to set out the content, identify key themes and prepare a teaching outline for vocational schools, he specified.

Dr Jerome Machuge, a TIE curriculum expert, proposed that the proposed modules be attached to Tanzanian history and political ethics.

The modules will be integrated into the current curriculum, with specific lessons designed to cover constitution and citizenship topics, he said.

Additionally, textbooks for the relevant levels will have to be developed, while teachers will undergo training to incorporate this subject into their lessons as part of the ongoing process, he said.

Anthony Kasore, the VETA director general, emphasized that within the technical education curriculum, young people would learn about the constitution and citizenship, which would help foster patriotism and self-awareness in defending and protecting their country.

“This education is critical for preparing youth to acknowledge their rights and responsibilities, as well as to understand how they can contribute to safeguarding the nation,” he added.