Promotion of the Russian Language in the education system of Tanzania: conditions, demand, «deficits» and potential «growth points»

Abstract

The article analyzes the program documents regulating functioning of the education system of Tanzania, examines the socio-economic factors affecting its development, analyzes the language policy, as well as the state policy of the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania in the field of education, which is considered to be a strategic factor in the transformation of mentality and the creation of a well-educated nation, sufficiently possessing the knowledge necessary for competent and competitive solutions to the challenges facing the country. The authors identify objectives of the education system of Tanzania, aimed at promoting universal access to quality basic education, including preschool, primary and secondary education; eradication of illiteracy; dissemination of high-quality higher education, providing training of highly qualified personnel necessary for the effective development of all sectors of the economy. The problems faced by the education system of Tanzania, the ways to solve them and the prospects for development are determined. The activities of the Representative Office of the Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States, Compatriots Living Abroad, and International Humanitarian Cooperation, which is the coordinator of the promotion of the Russian language and culture in Tanzania, are described in detail. The factors influencing the demand for the Russian language, increasing motivation to study it and the demand for Russian education in general among the youth of Tanzania, as well as the formation of a positive image of Russia in the minds of Tanzanians, are identified. The conditions, «deficits» and potential «growth points» of the promotion of the Russian language in the education system of Tanzania are determined. The article presents the results of the survey conducted during the official visit of the delegation of the Samara State University of Social Sciences and Education to Tanzania, which determined the future prospects of the study, which will result in designing a modular training program for teachers of Russian as a foreign language for educational organizations of the United Republic of Tanzania in the system of Russian teacher training education, including a Russian as a foreign language course at a preparatory department, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs and advanced training for teachers of Russian as a foreign language.