DAR ES SALAAM: THE number of school candidates sitting this year’s Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (CSEE) has increased by 13.02 per cent to 644,085, as the examinations begin nationwide today.
The National Examinations Council of Tanzania (NECTA) Executive Secretary, Professor Said Mohammed, told reporters in Dar es Salaam yesterday that the number of registered school candidates had risen from 569,883 in 2025 to 644,085 this year.
A further 22,955 private candidates are sitting the examinations, bringing the total number of registered candidates to 667,040.
Prof Mohammed said the examinations were being conducted at 6,265 secondary schools, alongside 802 examination centres for private candidates across the country.
“Of the 644,085 school candidates, 346,776 are girls, representing 53.84 per cent, while 297,309 are boys, accounting for 46.16 per cent,” he said.
He added that 910 school candidates had special needs, including 455 with low vision, 13 with visual impairment, 98 with hearing impairment, 21 with intellectual impairment and 323 with physical impairments.
“Among private candidates, 12,732 are girls, equivalent to 55.47 per cent, while 10,223 are boys, representing 44.53 per cent. The council has also registered 73 private candidates with special needs,” Prof Mohammed said.
He said all preparations for the examinations had been completed, including the distribution of examination papers, answer booklets and other essential documents to councils and municipalities across Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar.
Regional and council examination committees had also trained invigilators, secured examination centres and put measures in place to prevent examination malpractice, he said.
“Arrangements have also been made to accommodate candidates with special needs and ensure they receive appropriate assistance during the examinations,” he said.
Prof Mohammed said invigilators were required to provide appropriate support, including Braille examination papers for blind candidates and enlarged-print papers for those with low vision.
Candidates with special needs were also entitled to additional time, amounting to 20 minutes for every hour in Basic Mathematics and 10 minutes for every hour in other subjects, in accordance with examination guidelines.
The council had also made contingency arrangements for possible disruptions caused by El Niño rains during the examination period.
Prof Mohammed said candidates unable to sit their examinations because of difficulties caused by heavy rains would be given another opportunity during the next examination period.
He urged invigilators to perform their duties professionally and with integrity, ensuring candidates observed examination regulations and completed their papers within the allocated time.