is an official Secondary School Computer Studies Syllabus for Forms I – IV developed in
1996 and issued in 1997, it is out of date with respect to the evolution of technology since
the early 90`s. Furthermore the lack of a programme for training teachers on computers
and other multi-media utilization has been identified as a major reason for slow take up of
computer studies in primary and secondary schools. Typing skills and the use of “mockups” as teaching aids to simulate computers and peripherals should be promoted in schools
that cannot afford to purchase ICT equipment.
In general, there is a shortage of well-qualified professionals of ICT in Tanzania. There are
also no well-established ICT professional profiles, and a standardised process of evaluation
or certification of the different courses offered by various training centres is lacking.
Access to online and distance learning for ICT is also still limited. Furthermore,
opportunities for training are mostly limited to few urban centres.
While there are many Tanzanian websites, most are in English, and are not, therefore, a
dominant medium for society to access information. Many websites are not updated
regularly and appear to be an advertising presence on the Web. However some are vibrant
websites with the majority publishing local news on the Web, while others demonstrate
some convergence by giving access to local radio programmes on the Internet. There has
been recent controversy on access to pornography via the Internet causing concern for
safeguarding of our diverse mores, morals and culture.
The potential for e-commerce is constrained by the lack of local credit cards and an
appropriate legal framework that engenders an environment of trust, security and
accountability.
2.8
Policy
The Communications Act was enacted in 1993 and the National Telecommunications
Policy (NTP) was launched in 1997. The telecommunications sector has been partially
liberalised with an ”independent” regulator, and competition has grown in mobile cellular
services, radio paging, internet services data communications services, and value added
services. While there is provision for a Rural Telecommunication Development Fund,
this has not yet been implemented, leaving matters of universal access to the liberalised
environment. On the other hand, since the financial year 2001/2002, all taxes and duties
on computers and peripherals have been abolished. This has been enthusiastically
received.
Other Acts and policies directly relevant to ICT include the Broadcasting Services Act of
1993 and the Broadcasting Services Policy that is currently under review; the National
Science and Technology Policy of 1996; and the Tanzania Development Vision 2025 of
1998. These need to be reviewed and linked with the National ICT Policy, notably with
the anticipated merger of the telecommunications and broadcasting regulators.
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