Author: user user

Dar es Salaam. As Tanzania moves forward with the implementation of universal health insurance (UHI), stakeholders have underscored the crucial role of artificial intelligence (AI) in expediting claims processing, curbing fraud, enhancing service delivery and meeting the growing demands of the healthcare sector.

In the past, disputes between healthcare providers and insurance firms often arose from contract breaches or delayed payments, ultimately affecting patients seeking care. However, the introduction of digital systems, particularly those powered by AI, has significantly reduced such challenges.

This development comes as Tanzania prepares to roll out its much-anticipated UHI scheme. President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who is also the ruling party’s presidential candidate in next week’s general election, has pledged to launch the initiative within her first 100 days in office if re-elected.

Speaking when she launched her campaigns in Dar es Salaam late in August, she said the pilot phase of the UHI would initially cover children, the elderly, expectant mothers and people with disabilities. Their treatment costs would be fully financed by the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).

“Within the same 100 days, we will also finance specialised medical treatment and diagnostic services for underprivileged citizens suffering from non-communicable diseases such as cancer, kidney failure, heart conditions, orthopaedic complications and neurological disorders,” President Hassan said. To strengthen service delivery, she added, the government would employ 5,000 health workers, including nurses and midwives, with the aim of improving maternal and child health.

At a recent panel discussion during the launch of the 2024 Insurance Market Report in Dodoma, the chairman of the Medical Insurance Council and CEO of Jubilee Insurance, Dr Adamson Harold, noted that claims management had improved considerably over the past two years thanks to digital systems supported by AI. “For instance, Jubilee Insurance has made significant investments in technology to ensure that claims are processed on time and results are transparent.

Between January and September, we processed over $700,000 in hospital claims without any disputes because everything went according to plan,” he said. Dr Harold stressed that the integration of AI into the UHI rollout was inevitable, as it reduces human error and enhances operational efficiency.

“When both parties trust the results generated by AI systems, it minimises disputes and eliminates issues like duplicate payments for services,” he added. Sharing similar sentiments, the NHIF Membership Services director, Dr Alfonse Chandika, said the fund was developing an AI-powered system to process claims more swiftly and accurately, reducing reliance on manual methods that have previously caused misunderstandings with healthcare providers.

“It’s true that in the past, there were challenges that caused friction between us and service providers. However, through the systems currently in place and those under development, these issues are being addressed.

As the population continues to grow, AI is essential to help us work more efficiently,” he said. As part of preparations for the full UHI rollout, NHIF has expanded its operations to 42 strategically selected districts across the country to ensure faster and more efficient service delivery.

Currently, only about 15 percent of Tanzanians are covered by formal health insurance schemes, highlighting the need for broader access. Citizens can now register digitally, eliminating the need for physical cards and expediting access to care.

To further increase reach, NHIF has partnered with the Association of Tanzania Insurers, with 23 insurance agents already working alongside the fund. It is also collaborating with mobile phone operators, social workers and grassroots organisations to promote enrolment in the UHI scheme.

Benjamin Mkapa Hospital’s Director General, Prof Abel Makubi, commended the progress made so far but emphasised the need for further improvements to ensure high-quality services, particularly in access to medicines and diagnostic tests. “The introduction of UHI will raise expectations among citizens.

It’s essential that services are enhanced before the rollout begins. Citizens deserve quality care, timely access to medication and respectful, compassionate service,” he said.

On the technological front, the Ministry of Health has made notable strides in strengthening digital infrastructure, an essential step as the number of insured clients increases. However, stakeholders emphasised the need for greater system interoperability to ensure seamless service delivery.

They also highlighted the importance of creating a supportive work environment and equipping health personnel with continuous training on digital systems and insurance claims management. Dedicated teams within healthcare facilities, they said, should oversee claims to ensure efficiency and accuracy before submission to insurance funds.

.

Mwanza. With nine days remaining before the October 29, 2025 General Election, religious leaders in Mwanza have issued a joint statement urging Tanzanians to maintain peace and unity, and to turn out in large numbers to vote.

The statement was read yesterday by the Mwanza Regional Peace Committee co-chairperson, Bishop Charles Sekelwa, during a peace symposium attended by Christian and Muslim leaders. The leaders called on citizens to exercise their constitutional right to vote freely and responsibly, while avoiding acts that could trigger violence or disturb public order.

“It is the duty of every Tanzanian to use their constitutional right to vote,” they said in the joint declaration, adding that peace must be maintained before, during and after the polls. “We urge all citizens to vote for the President, Members of Parliament and Councillors at all levels with love, wisdom and responsibility.

After voting, everyone should return home peacefully, without engaging in violence or using hateful language, to preserve the image of our peaceful nation,” the statement reads in part. The leaders also said they will continue to pray for a peaceful election, asking God to bless Tanzania with wisdom, unity and stability throughout the electoral period.

“Let us remember that peace is the foundation of development, unity is strength, and love is the solution to every challenge,” they said. Bishop Sekelwa reminded voters that every Tanzanian has the democratic right to choose leaders of their choice.

“True freedom lies in the ability to choose the person who will lead you. Voting is a constitutional right, and electing a leader you believe in is also your right,” he said.

His co-chairperson, Mwanza Regional Sheikh Hassan Kabeke, stressed that peace must always precede justice. “Justice cannot exist without peace.

For us Muslims, it is our right to pray five times a day, and for our Christian brothers and sisters, on Sundays. But if there is unrest, who will go to pray? Peace is the foundation of justice,” Sheikh Kabeke said.

Committee member Pastor Upendo Isaya cited the Bible, which encourages believers to seek peace with everyone, noting that wise decisions can only be made in a calm environment. “Your vote is a contract between you and your leader.

As we head to the polls, despite what is being said, the most important thing is to seek peace and make wise decisions,” he said. The chairperson of the Mwanza Muslim Women’s Association, Amina Masenza, urged women and youth to fulfil their civic duty peacefully, saying all citizens aged 18 and above should participate in the elections.

The committee’s adviser, Dr Jacob Mutashi, said religious leaders are partners of the government in maintaining peace. He urged clerics to remind their congregants to obey police instructions on election day.

“Peace and stability are our main agenda in places of worship during this election period,” he said. “We must tell our people to listen carefully to police directives because officers will be deployed across all areas to maintain security,” he added.

Former cabinet minister Lazaro Nyalandu also called on Tanzanians to uphold unity and avoid any form of discrimination, saying peace remains the nation’s most valuable asset. Meanwhile, Mwanza Regional Commissioner Said Mtanda assured residents that the region is safe ahead of the polls.

“Mwanza is calm. The regional government and our security and defence organs are fully prepared to ensure the election process is completed peacefully and safely,” he said.

.

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania is among several East and Central African nations gearing up for the 2025 East and Central Africa All Africa Challenge Trophy (EACAACT), scheduled to take place from October 22 to 24 at the scenic Great Rift Valley Lodge and Golf Resort in Naivasha, Kenya.

Hosted by the Kenya Ladies Golf Union (KLGU), this biennial championship serves as the regional counterpart to the All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT), the continent’s premier women’s golf event. The EACAACT brings together elite female golfers from the region in a spirit of competition, sportsmanship, and friendship.

Apart from Tanzania, participating nations include Uganda, Zambia, Rwanda, Madagascar, Reunion, and hosts Kenya, each fielding their top-ranked lady golfers for three days of intense play on one of East Africa’s most challenging and picturesque courses. Representing Tanzania will be a formidable quartet: Vicky Elias, Neema Olomi, Shufaa Twalib, and Khadija Suleiman, under the management of Yasmin Chali, who also serves as Secretary General of the Tanzania Ladies Golf Union (TLGU).

Speaking from Nairobi ahead of the championship, Yasmin expressed strong confidence in her team’s readiness and commitment to retaining the crown. “Our golfers are in top shape and fully prepared to defend the title,” said Yasmin.

“They have trained with focus and determination. We know the competition will be tough, but we are ready to give our best and keep the trophy in Tanzania.

” According to the official schedule, teams will arrive and hold practice rounds on October 20 and 21, followed by the opening ceremony and flag-raising at Green No. 18. The championship rounds will then run from October 22 to 24, culminating in a prize-giving ceremony and gala dinner on Friday evening.

At the 2023 edition in Kigali, Rwanda, Tanzania clinched the overall team trophy, while Kenya’s Awuor took the individual title. That triumph reaffirmed Tanzania’s dominance in regional women’s golf, adding to their previous victories in 2009, 2011, and 2019. Since its inception in 2009 in Uganda, the EACAACT has grown into one of the most prestigious women’s golf competitions in East and Central Africa — providing a platform for both excellence and unity among participating nations.

“This championship is not only about winning; it’s about advancing women’s golf across our region and strengthening the friendships that make our sport so special,” Yasmin added. With the breathtaking Great Rift zValley course promising to test every swing, all eyes will be on Tanzania as they set out to defend their crown and extend their legacy as the queens of regional golf.

.

Dar es Salaam. Telecommunications Company Yas has reaffirmed its long-standing commitment to the Kilimanjaro International Marathon, announcing its continued sponsorship of the 2026 edition to be held in Moshi next year.

According to Yas Corporate Communications and Public Relations Manager, Christina Murimi, the company is proud to remain the official sponsor of the half marathon (21km race) for the 11th consecutive year. Murimi said the company’s consistent support demonstrates Yas’s deep commitment to promoting sports, tourism, and community development in Tanzania.

“On behalf of Yas and Mixx, we are honoured to remain part of this iconic event, which has become a powerful platform for promoting health, tourism, and sustainable community growth,” said Murimi. “Our partnership with the marathon organizers continues to yield a positive impact — nurturing new talent, supporting the sports and tourism sectors, and encouraging healthy lifestyles among Tanzanians.

” She further explained that through advanced 4G and 5G technologies, Yas provides reliable and high-speed communication services for all marathon participants, while Mixx facilitates seamless digital payment solutions for runners, sponsors, and event partners. “By harnessing the power of technology, we ensure that every step taken in this marathon truly counts.

This is how we drive positive transformation in sports and the community at large,” Murimi added. Murimi also extended appreciation to the organizing committee, co-sponsors, and partners who continue to contribute to the ongoing success of the Kilimanjaro International Marathon year after year.

According to the organizers, registration for the Kilimanjaro International Marathon 2026 will open soon, inviting both local and international runners to register for one of Africa’s most celebrated races. The event is expected to attract thousands of participants from Tanzania and abroad.

For more than a decade, the Kilimanjaro International Marathon has grown beyond a sporting event — it has become a national symbol of unity, health, and pride, promoting tourism and stimulating economic growth in the Kilimanjaro region and across Tanzania. .

Dar es Salaam. Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) Parliamentary candidate for Kibamba Constituency, Angellah Kairuki, has unveiled an ambitious sports development plan that includes the establishment of a football academy, the launch of the “Kairuki Cup”, and the renovation of local football grounds to nurture young talent across the constituency.

Speaking during a campaign rally held over the weekend in Mbezi and Msigani wards, Kairuki said her initiative aims to identify, train, and promote talented boys and girls who could go on to represent Kibamba at national and international levels. “If elected in the upcoming general election, I will establish a football academy and introduce the Kairuki Cup to help uncover and develop the immense sporting talent that exists in our communities,” said Kairuki.

She emphasized that Kibamba is blessed with several open fields suitable for football, but many of them are in poor condition and require urgent rehabilitation. “We have good grounds, but most are uneven or lack proper infrastructure.

I intend to ensure they are renovated, levelled, and made safe for both training and competition. A well-maintained sports environment encourages participation and pride in our youth,” Kairuki added.

The proposed Kairuki Cup will be an annual tournament designed to provide regular competitive opportunities for young players, serving as a stepping stone toward higher levels of the game. The event will also promote community unity and active participation among youth, parents, and local leaders.

Residents have welcomed Kairuki’s proposal, describing it as a timely investment in the social and physical development of young people. Johansen Johnson, a resident of Mbezi Ward, said structured sports academies could transform youth development in the area.

“This is not just about producing future champions — it’s about empowerment, discipline, and confidence-building,” he said. “When young people engage in organized sports, they learn teamwork, leadership, and resilience, which benefit them beyond the field.

” Johnson also emphasized the importance of including girls in the program, noting that early investment in women’s sports remains crucial for closing the gender gap in athletics. “Many girls in our schools show great potential in football, netball, and athletics, but they lack proper facilities and coaching.

An academy would give them a real platform to train, compete, and believe in their abilities,” he added. Local schools such as Kibamba Secondary School and Mbezi Primary School are expected to play a key role in supporting the academy’s development.

With structured coaching and community engagement, these schools could become vibrant hubs for nurturing the next generation of Tanzanian sports stars. Kairuki’s plan reflects her broader vision to use sports as a tool for youth empowerment, community cohesion, and health promotion.

By combining talent identification with infrastructure improvement, her initiative could position Kibamba as a model for grassroots sports development in Tanzania. “My goal is to ensure that every child in Kibamba with passion and talent for sports gets the opportunity to grow and succeed,” Kairuki concluded .

Dodoma. The High Court of Tanzania, Dodoma Registry, has upheld the life imprisonment sentence handed to four security officers convicted of gang rape but set aside their conviction for group sodomy, ruling that such an offence does not exist under Tanzanian law.

The appellants, Tanzania People’s Defence Force (TPDF) officer Private Clinton Damas, popularly known as Nyundo; Amin Lema (Kindamba); Nickson Jackson (Machuche); and Prison Officer Praygod Mushi, had appealed against their conviction and life sentence imposed by the Dodoma Resident Magistrate’s Court. Delivering the judgment on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, Judge Amir Mruma said that while individual acts of sodomy are punishable under Tanzanian law, there is no provision recognising “group sodomy” as a criminal offence.

However, he affirmed that the law clearly provides that gang rape carries a mandatory life sentence, which has no alternative penalty. The four will therefore continue serving their sentences for the gang rape conviction.

Judge Mruma criticised the legal framework for lacking an alternative punishment for gang rape, saying it conflicts with the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania, which grants the judiciary final authority in dispensing justice. “The law has tied the hands of the court because there is no alternative punishment to life imprisonment,” he said.

“This places the statute above the Constitution, which states that the courts have the final say in the administration of justice. This provision ought to be reviewed.

” He observed that punishment should ideally promote reform and rehabilitation, but life imprisonment and the death penalty deprive offenders of that opportunity, especially when the convicts are young. The judge noted that the four men, aged between 23 and 27, were relatively young at the time of the offence and may not have fully grasped the gravity of their actions.

According to court records, the victim had initially consented to sexual intercourse with one man, but the others forced their way into the room and raped her. Judge Mruma called for a comprehensive review of the country’s penal laws to align them with present-day realities, particularly those relating to group sodomy and gang rape, which currently do not grant courts discretion to impose alternative sentences.

He said the conviction was supported by video evidence and the victim’s testimony, which clearly identified each of the accused committing the offences. None of the appellants disputed appearing in the footage.

“If they had denied being the ones in the video, further forensic analysis could have been conducted, perhaps even to determine whether it was artificial intelligence, but since no one disputed it, there was no need for further examination,” he said. The appellants were represented by advocates Godfrey Wasonga, Robert Owino, and Meshack Ngamando, while the state was represented by Principal State Attorney Lucy Uisso, and prosecutors Ahmed Mtenga and Aziza Mhina.

Judge Mruma upheld only one ground of appeal, the unlawfulness of the group sodomy charge, saying no such offence exists under Tanzanian law. Outside the courtroom, Principal State Attorney Uisso said the judgment exposed gaps in current sexual offence laws, particularly those concerning gang rape and sodomy, and called for urgent legislative review.

“When the sodomy law was enacted, lawmakers did not anticipate the possibility of group involvement, which is why no specific punishment was prescribed,” she said. Defence lawyer Wasonga said his team intends to appeal further to ensure their clients receive full justice.

The four were convicted on September 30, 2024, by the Dodoma Resident Magistrate’s Court for gang rape and unnatural offences against a young woman from Yombo Dovya in Dar es Salaam. They were sentenced to life imprisonment and ordered to pay the victim Sh1 million each in compensation .

Paris. Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy began a five-year sentence on Tuesday for conspiring to raise campaign funds from Libya, arriving at La Sante prison in Paris in a stunning downfall for a man who led the country between 2007 and 2012. The former conservative president, 70, left his home for the car journey to the prison, walking hand in hand with his wife Carla Bruni and cheered by a crowd of supporters chanting “Nicolas, Nicolas” and singing La Marseillaise national anthem.

Sarkozy, who was convicted and sentenced last month, is the first former French leader to be jailed since Nazi collaborator Marshal Philippe Petain after World War Two. Sarkozy says he is innocent Shortly after he headed for La Sante, Sarkozy published a long message on X in which he claimed to be a victim of revenge and hatred.

“I want to tell (French people), with the unshakable strength that is mine, that it is not a former president of the Republic who is being imprisoned this morning — it is an innocent man,” he said. Sarkozy’s conviction capped years of legal battles over allegations that his 2007 campaign took millions in cash from Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, who was later overthrown and killed during the Arab Spring uprisings.

While Sarkozy was found guilty of conspiring with close aides to orchestrate the scheme, he was acquitted of personally receiving or using the funds. He has consistently denied wrongdoing and has called the case politically motivated.

His lawyers said they had filed a request for early release, pending his appeals trial, and that they expected this request to be reviewed in about a month. They said they hoped they could get Sarkozy freed on early release by Christmas.

Sarkozy to be held in isolation unit Sarkozy will likely be held in La Sante’s isolation unit, where inmates are housed in single cells and kept apart during outdoor activities for security reasons. Conditions are similar to the rest of the prison: cells measure 9 to 12 square meters (100 to 130 square feet) and, following renovations, now include private showers.

Sarkozy will have access to a television – for a monthly fee of 14 euros ($16) – and a landline telephone. Sarkozy told Le Figaro he would take three books for his first week behind bars, including Alexandre Dumas’ “The Count of Monte Cristo” – the story of a man who is unjustly imprisoned and who plots his revenge against those who betrayed him.

The decision to jail a former president has sparked outrage among Sarkozy’s political allies and the far right. “Nicolas Sarkozy is not a criminal,” said Sarkozy supporter Jacqueline Fraboulet, who was among the crowd cheering him on Tuesday.

“We actually feel like the justice system is taking the power, and that’s not good for France.” Sarkozy’s children and brothers also attended the gathering.

Sarkozy, looking sombre, waved at his supporters before heading into his car for the journey to La Sante. France gets tougher on white-collar crime The sentencing reflected a shift in France’s approach to white-collar crime.

In the 1990s and 2000s, many convicted politicians avoided prison altogether. Despite his legal troubles, Sarkozy’s political influence has proved resilient as French society has shifted to the right.

President Emmanuel Macron, who had warm relations with Sarkozy and Bruni, said on Monday he had met Sarkozy ahead of his incarceration. Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin said he would visit him in prison.

That angered left-wing politicians who said Macron and Darmanin were breaching judicial independence. The son of a Hungarian immigrant, Sarkozy became president in 2007, pledging to shake things up with pro-business reforms that would reinvigorate France’s stagnant economy and elevate the country to the top table of global players.

Those efforts were quickly upended by the 2008-2009 economic crisis, and voters gave him little credit for raising the retirement age to 62 from 60 and loosening rules requiring a maximum 35-hour work week. Reporting by Manuel Ausloos Clotaire Achi, Sudip Kar-Gupta, Benoit Van Overstraeten, Jean-Stephane Brosse; Writing by Ingrid Melander and Michel Rose; Editing by Alison Williams, Benoit Van Overstraeten and Frances Kerry .

Dar es Salaam. The long-running dispute over ownership of a prime plot in the city took a new turn yesterday after authorities handed back the title deed to widow Alice Haule following a government investigation.

The Ministry of Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development submitted its report on Plot No. 189, Msasani Beach, to the Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner (RC), Albert Chalamila, who directed that the property be returned to the widow.

The dispute involved Mrs Haule and businessman Mohamed Yusufali, and led to her eviction from the house on September 23, 2025, by unidentified individuals. Mrs Haule maintained that she and her late husband, Justice Rugaibula, had owned the house since 2008 and not Mr Yusufali.

However, Mr Yusufali’s lawyer, Mpwaga Bernard, said the matter was still before the court. “The case is scheduled for hearing on October 28, 2025. Both parties were directed to file their defences,” he said.

Mrs Haule’s lawyer, however, said they plan to withdraw the case, having achieved the desired outcome through the administrative process. Speaking on behalf of the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, the Assistant Land Commissioner for Dar es Salaam, Shukurani Kyando, said the investigation followed directives issued by the RC two weeks earlier.

He said the team reviewed documents, interviewed witnesses and analysed the entire ownership process of the property. “The team followed up on ministry records, court files, and statements from more than eight witnesses involved since 2011,” Kyando said.

According to the report, the ownership trail began in 1999, when Bariki Elisante Keenja owned the plot. It was later sold to Quality Real Estate Ltd in 2007 and transferred to Justice Rugaibula in 2008. Records show that in 2011, Justice Rugaibula transferred ownership to Yusufali in a Sh262.5 million sale agreement.

However, tribunal records revealed that Mrs Haule had filed a caveat in October 2012, objecting to the sale on grounds that her husband had attempted to sell their matrimonial home without her consent. “The committee found that despite the caveat, the title had already been transferred to Yusufali in 2011,” Kyando said.

The probe also established that two agreements existed, a Sh150 million loan contract and a Sh262.5 million sale agreement, both involving the same property. The committee found that none of the loan-related transactions had been reported to the ministry.

A lawyer who drafted the documents told investigators he never saw Mrs Haule sign them. “He said he only handed the papers to her husband, who later returned them signed in her name,” Kyando said.

The investigation further revealed inconsistencies in the spousal consent document, which bore both a handwritten signature and a thumbprint, contradicting the lawyer’s stamped version. On the eviction, the report noted that no court or official order authorised the action.

It urged the government to act against individuals and firms that violate property laws and warned citizens to avoid informal property transactions. Based on its findings, the committee recommended that ownership of the house be restored to Mrs Haule as the legal administrator of her late husband’s estate.

Expressing gratitude, Mrs Haule said: “I thank the committee and the Regional Commissioner for following this matter step by step until justice was served for me and my four children.” Mr Chalamila ordered Yusufali to appear before his office within five days, saying he had ignored several summonses.

“On the day bouncers evicted this woman, he was present. Now that things have become difficult, he is no longer in the country,” the RC said.

He urged citizens to handle inheritance matters legally to prevent family conflicts, noting that emotional decisions often hurt future generations. .

In what authorities have described as one of the most daring art thefts in recent history, a group of highly organised thieves carried out a meticulously planned heist at the world-famous Louvre Museum in Paris during the early hours of Tuesday morning. According to French police, the suspects infiltrated the museum shortly after midnight, bypassing several layers of advanced security systems.

Investigators believe the culprits possessed intimate knowledge of the Louvre’s internal layout and alarm protocols. By the time guards discovered the breach, the thieves had vanished–taking with them several invaluable masterpieces estimated to be worth hundreds of millions of euros.

Among the stolen works is believed to be a rare 16th-century painting by Leonardo da Vinci’s pupil, though officials have not yet released the full inventory of missing items. The French Ministry of Culture has confirmed that the museum will remain closed to the public until further notice as forensic teams comb the site for clues.

Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin called the operation “an assault on France’s cultural soul,” vowing to bring those responsible to justice. “These criminals knew exactly what they were doing.

We will not rest until every piece of art is recovered and those behind this act are apprehended,” he told reporters outside the museum. Interpol has joined the investigation, coordinating with art crime units across Europe amid fears that the stolen pieces could already be on their way to the black market.

Experts warn that such works are nearly impossible to sell openly, suggesting the theft may have been commissioned by a private collector. Meanwhile, Parisians have expressed both outrage and disbelief that the Louvre–home to the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo–could fall victim to such a sophisticated crime.

As one visitor standing outside the cordoned-off museum remarked, “It feels as though part of our heritage has been taken from us.” Authorities have urged the public to report any suspicious activity or attempts to sell rare artworks.

For now, the world’s eyes remain fixed on Paris, awaiting answers to how one of the most secure museums on Earth could be breached–and whether its stolen treasures will ever return home .

Dar es Salaam. A total of 1,582,140 Standard Four pupils from 20,517 schools across Tanzania are set to sit for the Standard Four National Assessment (SFNA) on October 22 and 23, 2025, according to the National Examinations Council of Tanzania (NECTA).

Of the registered candidates, 764,290 (48.31 percent) are boys, while 817,850 (51.69 percent) are girls. Speaking in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, NECTA Executive Secretary Prof Said Mohamed provided key updates on the upcoming assessment.

“Out of all registered pupils, 1,475,637 (93.27 percent) will take the exam in Kiswahili, while 106,503 (6.73 percent) will sit for the exam in English, the language of instruction in their respective schools,” said Prof Mohamed. He said NECTA has made special arrangements for 5,750 pupils with disabilities, including 1,164 with low vision, 111 who are blind, 1,161 with hearing impairment, 1,641 with intellectual disabilities, and 1,673 with physical disabilities.

“Pupils with special needs will be granted an extra 20 minutes per hour for the Mathematics paper and 10 additional minutes per hour for other subjects,” he added. This year’s assessment, he noted, marks the first implementation of the revised curriculum, which is aligned with the 2023 edition of the 2014 Education and Training Policy.

Pupils will be examined in six core subjects–science, mathematics, geography and environment, arts and sports, Kiswahili, English language, and history and civics. Additionally, they will have the option to choose one of three elective subjects: French, Arabic, or Chinese.

Prof Mohamed said all logistical preparations have been finalised, including the distribution of exam papers and materials to councils and municipalities across the country. He added that invigilators have undergone comprehensive training, and security measures have been reinforced to safeguard the integrity of the assessment.

“We urge invigilators to conduct themselves professionally and in accordance with the set regulations. School owners are also cautioned against interfering with the process.

NECTA will not hesitate to disqualify any examination centre that compromises the security or credibility of the assessment,” he warned. Prof Mohamed further advised pupils to follow exam rules strictly and avoid any form of malpractice during the two-day exercise.

.