Mass adult education: a necessary element in the development of socialism in Tanzania

Abstract

How are socialist principles realised in a country where literacy is scarce? This article by Dr. Budd Hall discusses approaches to mass adult education in Tanzania in the 1970s that are sustainable in the long run, enable political education, and are grounded in the everyday struggles of the people. It focuses on two key aspects: technical and technological knowledge that can support agricultural production, and ujamaa ideology. Ujamaa, a Swahili term meaning extended family, seeks to move away from colonial forms of knowledge and align education more closely with Tanzanian values. By undertaking a qualitative and reflective analysis of education policies from the period, informed by practitioner experience, the article outlines how training cadres were developed through shortened training programmes and reduced pressure on existing school teachers, with adult education taking place in community centres alongside children’s education and other initiatives aimed at strengthening adult education.