PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has said that pupils' success in examinations is a source of immense pride for teachers, parents and all Tanzanians.

The remarks come as national Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (CSEE) began on Monday.

In a statement shared on her X page on Monday, President Samia emphasised that the government’s ability to provide fee-free education and continue its development initiatives is made possible through payment of taxes and peace and stability in the country.

“These successes will further enable the government to continue its efforts to improve education system, ensuring it meets the evolving demands of our society and the current educational landscape,” she said.

“Best of luck to all Form Four pupils as you begin your final exams. I wish you success and peace as you prepare to contribute positively to your families, communities and our nation,” President Samia added.

Dr Said Mohamed, Executive Secretary of the National Examinations Council of Tanzania (NECTA), reported that 161,020 pupils, or 23.3 percent of those who took the Form Two exams two years ago, will not be able to graduate this year.

Dr Mohamed explained that two years ago, when the pupils sat for their Form Two exams, a total of 690,341 pupils were registered. This year, however, only 529,321 pupils are registered to take the Form Four exams, showing a gap of approximately 161,000 pupils absent from the exam registration list.

For the 2024 CSEE, Dr Mohamed confirmed that 557,731 candidates are registered. Of these, 529,321 are school candidates while 28,410 are private candidates.

Breaking down the gender distribution, Dr Mohamed noted that among the school candidates, 250,562 are boys (47.34 percent), and 278,759 are girls (52.66 percent).

Ezekiel Magoto, a parent of one of the candidates, highlighted that parents sacrifice a lot to provide their children with education, including paying school fees.

“Every parent wants their child to perform well, as it is the greatest expectation. Our goal is always to see them succeed,” he said.

Magoto also urged pupils to adhere to the rules and regulations governing the exams, stressing the importance of avoiding malpractice.

“Any deviation from the standards could jeopardise their academic future,” he warned.