Status, Experience and Challenges for Promoting Gifted and Talented Students Education Provision in Ilala, Dar es Salaam

Abstract

It is widely known that learners vary in achievement, ability as well as talent. Interest in gifted and talented learners has a long history. However, in most developing countries, education systems are yet to create a suitable environment to develop and nurture the special talents that some learners have, sometimes due to lack of a proper understanding of the variety of talents available and also lack of resources to support them. Exploring the status, experience, and challenges that the gifted and talented learners of Tanzania experience is not an easy task; considering that the so called gifted and talented are not prioritized in our education system. This study aimed at exploring the criteria for identifying and selecting gifted and talented students in secondary schools, the way they are groomed and challenges they face together with the way forward in addressing those problems in Ilala municipality of Dar es Salaam City. Two selected schools were sampled through purposive sampling and the interview and questionnaire tools were applied in collecting the data from teachers, students, and parents. Quantitative data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistical techniques and thematic analysis was used for analyzing qualitative data. The findings indicated that, learners and teachers lack government support on identification of gifted and talented children. Teaching and learning materials are not sufficient for the students to learn effectively and too few skilled teachers are available to instruct and support talented students. The number of skilled teachers is small compared to the needs of the system and the system does not provide opportunities for the students to display their talents. The study recommends that further studies should be conducted on how to create opportunities, development, and motivation of key talented children education provision for this category of learners. The new Education and Training Policy needs to be reviewed and show plans to accommodate talent and gifted education development in our schools.