Implementation of Pre-Primary Education in Public School in Tanzania: Challenges and Possible Solutions
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61227/jetti.v3i2.213Keywords:
Challenge, Implementation, Pre-Primary, Education, SolutionsAbstract
The study was conducted to investigate the challenges hindering the effective implementation of the pre-primary curriculum in public schools in Tanzania and to explore strategies that could improve its implementation. The study used the leadership obstacle course (LOC) model as the theoretical framework that helped to identify the key barriers for effective implementation of pre-primary education. A mixed-methods approach with a convergent design was employed, involving 31 respondents (10 head teachers, 20 pre-primary teachers, and one district education officer) selected through random and purposive sampling techniques. Data was gathered using questionnaires, interview guides and observation tools and analyzed through descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. The study found out that key challenges included insufficient teaching resources, lack of teacher training, large class sizes and inadequate cooperation between teachers and parents. Teachers reported a lack of essential skills and resources as major obstacles. Additionally, large class sizes and parental neglect in supporting the curriculum were identified as significant challenges. To improve the situation, the study recommended providing additional training for teachers, increasing resource availability and enhancing parental involvement in the education process
Downloads
References
Abdussammed, P. (2024). Early Childhood Education: Issues and Challenges–An Institutional Perspective. RESEARCH REVIEW International Journal of Multidisciplinary, 9(1), 28-33.
Ali, A. C., Mligo, I. R., & Nsolezi, F. S. (2022). Challenges experienced by teachers in implementing the pre-primary education in Zanzibar. East African Journal of Education and Social Sciences (EAJESS), 3(5), 104-110.
Dennis, L. R., & Stockall, N. (2015).Using Play to Build the Social Competence of Young Children with Language Delays: Practical Guidelines for Teachers. Early Childhood Education Journal, 43(1), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-014-0638-5
Fentahun, M. (2022). Challenges and Opportunities of Pre-Primary Education at West Gojjam Zone Selected Towns, West Ethiopia. Journal of Education and Practice, 13(10), 49-60.
Gross, N., Giacquinta, J. B., & Bernstein, M. (1971). Implementing Organizational Innovations. New York: Basic Book.
Guillén, M. T. (2018). Scaffolding Discourse Skills in Pre-primary L2 Classrooms. In M. Schwartz (Ed.), Preschool Bilingual Education: Agency in Interactions Between Children, Teachers, and Parents (pp. 283–309). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-77228-8_10
Jay, J., & Knaus, M. (2018).Embedding Play-Based Learning into Junior Primary (Year 1 and 2) Curriculum in WA. Australian Journal of Teacher Education, 43(1), 112–126. https://doi.org/10.14221/ajte.2018v43n1.7
Jeon, L., Buettner, C. K., & Grant, A. A. (2018).Early Childhood Teachers’ Psychological Well-Being: Exploring Potential Predictors of Depression, Stress, and Emotional Exhaustion. Early Education and Development, 29(1), 53–69. https://doi.org/10.1080/10409289.2017.1341806
Kabate, M. J. (2023). Challenges in Enhancing Letter-Name Knowledge Acquisition for Public Pre-Primary Children in Shinyanga Region. Journal of Issues and Practice in Education Volume, 15(2), 237-259.
Kinzer, C., Gerhardt, K., & Coca, N. (2016).Building a Case for Blocks as Kindergarten Mathematics Learning Tools. Early Childhood Education Journal, 44(4), 389–402. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-015-0717-2
Kitta, S., & Kapinga, O. S. (2015). Towards Designing Effective Preschool Education Programmes in Tanzania: What can We Learn from Theories? Journal of Education and Practice, 7.
Kojo, J. W., Seni, A. J., & Ndibalema, P. (2024). Stakeholders' perspectives on parental engagement in Tanzanian pre-primary schools: Exploring opportunities and challenges. Educational Dimension,
Lugalla, Joe L.P & Ngwaru, J. M. (2019).Education in Tanzania in the Era of Globalization: Challenges and Opportunities. MkukinaNyota Publishers.
Mabagala, D. L., & Shukia, R. (2019). Pre-primary Education in Tanzania: Teachers Knowledge and Instructional Practices in Rural Areas. Huria Journal, 26(1), Article 1. https://journals.out.ac.tz/index.php/huria/article/view/686
Malik, S. S. (2019). Pre-Primary Education in South Sudan.The Ministry of General Education and Instruction, 1(1), 1–71.
Martínez-Bello, V. E., Bernabé-Villodre, M. del M., Lahuerta-Contell, S., Vega-Perona, H., & Giménez-Calvo, M. (2021). Pedagogical Knowledge of Structured Movement Sessions in the Early Education Curriculum: Perceptions of Teachers and Student Teachers. Early Childhood Education Journal, 49(3), 483–492. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-020-01090-0
Mghasse, N. E., & William, F. (2016). Practices and Challenges in the Provision of Pre-Primary Education in Tanzania. African Research Review, 10(1), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.4314/afrrev.v10i1.1
Mubiana, G., & Nkengbeza, D. (2023). Challenges to the Quality of Early Childhood Education Delivery at Pre-Primary Level at Five Schools in the Zambezi Region (Namibia). Preschool Education: Global Trends, 3, 69-81.
Pholphirul, P. (2017). Pre-primary education and long-term education performance: Evidence from Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) Thailand. Journal of Early Childhood Research, 15(4), 410–432. https://doi.org/10.1177/1476718X15616834
Rehman, M. A., John, S., & Latif, Q. (2022). Early Childhood Program for Pre-Primary Teachers of Karachi: Challenges and Opportunities. Human Nature Journal of Social Sciences, 3(3), 346-360.
Roseline, C. O., & Matthew, A. (2020). Pre-Primary Education: A Foundation for Achieving Sustainable Development in Nigeria. Capital Journal of Educational Studies (CAJES), 6(2), 197–206.
Taniguchi, K. (2024). The impact of pre-primary education on primary student achievement: evidence from SACMEQ III. International Journal of Early Years Education, 32(2), 484-502.
Taylor, M. E., & Boyer, W. (2020). Play-Based Learning: Evidence-Based Research to Improve Children’s Learning Experiences in the Kindergarten Classroom. Early Childhood Education Journal, 48(2), 127–133. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-019-00989-7
Wolf, S., Raza, M., Kim, S., Aber, J. L., Behrman, J., & Seidman, E. (2018). Measuring and predicting process quality in Ghanaian pre-primary classrooms using the Teacher Instructional Practices and Processes System (TIPPS). Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 45, 18–30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2018
Additional Files
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Authors

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Similar Articles
- Ann Ngozi Ugobueze, The Role of Citizenship Education on Enhancing the Promotion of Unity in Nigeria: Implication for Primary Education , Journal of Education and Teacher Training Innovation: Vol. 2 No. 2 (2024): Journal of Education and Teacher Training Innovation (JETTI)
- Jamila H. Nuru, Michaela Mhagama, Frank Mwamakula, Barriers to Effective Implementation of Inclusive Education Curriculum in Selected Public Primary Schools in Temeke Municipality , Journal of Education and Teacher Training Innovation: Vol. 3 No. 2 (2025): Journal of Education and Teacher Training Innovation (JETTI)
- Clement Maganga, Ashwarya Srivastava, Challenges Faced by Students and Teachers in Utilizing Digital Technologies For Enhancing Map Reading and Interpretation Skills , Journal of Education and Teacher Training Innovation: Vol. 3 No. 1 (2025): Journal of Education and Teacher Training Innovation (JETTI)
- Binuru Kivaria, Prospery Mwansa Mwila, Bridging Policy and Practice: ICT Tools and Instructor Support in Adult Education Centers in Coastal Tanzania , Journal of Education and Teacher Training Innovation: Vol. 3 No. 2 (2025): Journal of Education and Teacher Training Innovation (JETTI)
- Vinod Kumar Shanwal, Development of the Gurukula Education System in India , Journal of Education and Teacher Training Innovation: Vol. 1 No. 2 (2023): Journal of Education and Teacher Training Innovation (JETTI)
- Rehema John, Prospery M. Mwila, Factors Influencing the Development of English Language Listening and Reading Skills of Public Primary School Pupils: A Case Study of Temeke Municipality, Tanzania , Journal of Education and Teacher Training Innovation: Vol. 3 No. 1 (2025): Journal of Education and Teacher Training Innovation (JETTI)
- Dustnazar Omonovich Khimmataliev, Nilufar Parda Qizi Omonova, Integration of Artificial Intelligence in Inclusive Education: Comparative Analysis of Uzbekistan, CIS Countries, and International Practices , Journal of Education and Teacher Training Innovation: Vol. 3 No. 2 (2025): Journal of Education and Teacher Training Innovation (JETTI)
- Ifeoma Chinyere Umeji, Research Attitude, Achievement Motivation, and Self-Efficacy Among Post-Graduate Students Specializing in Primary Education , Journal of Education and Teacher Training Innovation: Vol. 2 No. 1 (2024): Journal of Education and Teacher Training Innovation (JETTI)
- Muminova Munojot Yulchiyevna, Do'stnazar Ximmataliyev, Improving the Methodology of Teaching the Native Language in Preschool Education for Future Preschool Educators , Journal of Education and Teacher Training Innovation: Vol. 3 No. 1 (2025): Journal of Education and Teacher Training Innovation (JETTI)
- Natnicha Duanphol, Prasart Nuangchalerm, Roswanna Safkolam, Implementing Inquiry-Based Science Learning on the Topic World and its Changing of Grade 8 Students , Journal of Education and Teacher Training Innovation: Vol. 2 No. 2 (2024): Journal of Education and Teacher Training Innovation (JETTI)
You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.


