The National Examinations Council of Tanzania
BARAZA LA MITIHANI LA TANZANIA
About NECTA
- The Establishment of NECTA
- Leadership List of NECTA since its Inception 21-11-1973
- The Functions of Examinations of Tanzania
- Power and Duties of The National Examinations Council of Tanzania
Summary of NECTA’s History
After Tanzania Mainland had pulled out of the East African Examinations Council in 1971 and before NECTA was established by Law in 1973, the Curriculum and Examinations Section of the Ministry of Education was responsible for all examinations. With the establishment of NECTA, the Examinations became its responsibility in accordance with the law. The Curriculum continued to be under the Ministry of Education and the University College of Dar es Salaam until when it was taken over by the newly established, autonomous Institute of Curriculum Development (ICD) in 1975, which in 1993 was renamed as the Tanzania Institute of Education (TIE).
Between 1972 and 1976 the first staff of NECTA were recruited, among them was Mr. P. P Gandye who was recruited in 1972 and later on in 1994 was appointed as the Executive Secretary. The other staff members continued to be recruited and especially so when NECTA’s premises moved from the Ministry of Education Headquarters to the present premises at Kijitonyama near Mwenge. Presently the number of NECTA’s staff is more than 250.
The Establishment of NECTA
The National Examinations Council of Tanzania (NECTA) is a Government Institution which was established by the Parliamentary Act No. 21 of 1973. NECTA is responsible for the administration of all National Examinations in Tanzania.
The decision to establish NECTA was a follow-up of an earlier move in April 1971, when Tanzania Mainland pulled out of the East African Examinations Council (EAEC) to conduct her own examinations. Zanzibar pulled out of EAEC in 1970. Before the pull out, between 1968 and 1971, Tanzania sat for foreign Secondary School Examinations conducted jointly by the East African Syndicate, which before then were conducted by the Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate alone. The Examinations conducted by the Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate then were the School Certificate and the Higher School Certificate Examinations. The School Certificate Examinations was taken by the African Students for the first time in 1947 and that of the Higher School Certificate in 1960.
Leadership List of NECTA since its Inception 21-11-1973
| Chairmen | ||
|---|---|---|
| S/N | Year | Name |
| 1. | 1973 – 1977 | P. Msekwa |
| 2. | 1977 – 1980 | I. M. Kaduma |
| 3. | 1980 – 1988 | N. A. Kuhanga |
| 4. | 1988 – 1992 | G.R.V. Mmari (Prof) |
| 5. | 1992 – 1999 | M.L Luhanga (Prof) |
| 6. | 1999 – 2004 | G.R.V. Mmari (Prof) |
| 7. | 2004 – 2007 | E. Mwaikambo (Prof) |
| 8. | 2007 – to date | R.S. Mkandala (Prof) |
| Secretaries | ||
|---|---|---|
| S/N | Year | Name |
| 1. | 1973 – 1978 | R. Kiyao |
| 2. | 1978 – 1986 | D.J. Bagenda |
| 3. | 1987 – 1992 | A. Modesti |
| 4. | 1993 – 1997 | P.P. Gandye |
| 5. | 1998 – 2005 | E.M. Nkumbi (Dr) |
| 6. | 2005 – 2014 | J.L. Ndalichako (Dr) |
| 7. | 2014 – to date | C.E Msonde (Dr) |
The Functions of the National Examinations Council of Tanzania
- To formulate examinations policy in accordance with the principles of education for self reliance and the education and training policy;
- To ensure responsibility for examinations within the United Republic of Tanzania and to make provision for places and centres for examinations;
- To receive from other persons or bodies of persons reports or other material affecting examinations policy and from from time to time to consider and review examinations policy as circumstances may require;
- To co-operate with other persons or bodies of persons in the orderly development of an examinations system in the United Republic of Tanzania;
- To conduct examinations for, and to grant, diplomas, certificates and other awards of the the council;
- To act as the body which shall facilitate, administer and supervise foreign examinations in Tanzania.
Powers and Duties of The National Examinations Council of Tanzania
- To administer the properties of the Council both movable and immovable;
- To administer the funds and other assets of the Council;
- To signify the acts of the Council by use of the common seal;
- Subject to the provisions of this Act, to appoint such officers of the Council as it may deem necessary;
- To review regulations relating to examinations;
- To consider and approve subjects suitable for examinations;
- To appoint panels or boards of examiners;
- To enter into arrangements, whether reciprocal or otherwise, with other persons or organization, whether within or outside the United Republic, for the recognition of awards granted in respect of examinations falling within their respective responsibilities.