A comparative analysis of curricular activities in public and private preschools in Dar es Salaam region, Tanzania

This study aimed at analyzing the curricular content and teaching methods in public and private preschools in Dar es Salaam region in order to establish the extent to which they are in line with the basic developmental and learning needs of children. Data were collected from twelve schools located in Dar es Salaam City. The sample comprised to sixty five respondents. These included Preschool Children, Teachers, Heads of schools, School Inspectors, Curriculum Developers and Ministry of Education Officials. The methods used for data collection included questionnaires, interviews and observation. The data were collected and analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. The findings revealed that the content of the National and the Montessori preschool syllabus provided for the intellectual, physical, social and emotional needs of the children. The study found out that the intellectual skills were more emphasized than the other development skills. Public preschools used more teacher-centered methods. Both syllabi prepared children for primary education. Children with preschools education had acquired necessary skilled needed for primary school learning like pre-reading, pre writing and pre arithmetic skills. All the sampled preschools had shortage of teaching and learning resources which differed in magnitude from one school to another. The contribution of the heads of schools and teachers in the improvisation of teaching and learning materials was found to be minimal. The majority of the teachers were not trained in preschool education as a result of which they lacked the necessary skills required in teaching preschool classes. The study recommends that the government among others, should review the guidelines on preschool education, institute and enforce standards for preschool operations in public and private institution and harmonise preschool syllabi so that they are consistent with the objectives of preschool education in Tanzania.