Apply by
January 1, 2025
Know by
March 1, 2025
Depart on
August 29, 2025
Duration
2 years, plus 3 months training
Project description
Karibu Tanzania! Present since 1961, Tanzania is one of Peace Corps’ oldest programs. Despite progress in reducing barriers to secondary education, Tanzania has a need for teachers in rural schools, particularly in the fields of math and science (mainly physics). Stakeholders have recognized the need for students to develop skills in these fields to support the development of problem-solving skills both in and out of the classroom. In response to this, the Peace Corps Tanzania project emphasizes hands-on learning, extracurricular activities, and community involvement in student learning to boost student achievement and encourage them to become self-reliant problem solvers.
Peace Corps Secondary School Science Teachers work in rural Tanzanian villages and teach general science, chemistry, biology and physics to students ages 12-20. Peace Corps Volunteers (PCV) prepare lesson plans using a variety of teaching methods and syllabi developed by the Ministry of Education. To connect classroom concepts to real-world situations, PCVs also organize experiential learning activities, including field trips and periodic recruitment of guest speakers. PCVs might be asked to teach additional subjects as needed depending on their knowledge and background. As part of capacity-building activities, PCVs are encouraged to develop professional relationships with Tanzanian teachers and organize communities of practice, or spaces to share best teaching practices. In addition to teaching students and working with teachers, PCVs are encouraged to engage the community in student learning. This may be done by organizing events like math competitions or science fairs and training community members on gender-equitable techniques that increase access to learning.
PCVs can expect large class sizes (50+ students) and limited classroom resources. The main teaching materials will probably be a blackboard and chalk, though some schools may be better equipped. In Tanzania, schools use a centralized curriculum provided by the Ministry of Education. Most of the teaching resources are available locally, and Peace Corps also provides PCVs with basic materials and resources to use in their teaching.
On average, PCVs teach 11-16 hours per week. Along with classroom teaching, many Volunteers are involved in school clubs, sports, youth conferences, and other extracurricular activities. PCVs will integrate Peace Corps Tanzania's cross-sectoral program priorities into their teaching and community development. This includes HIV/AIDS, Malaria, Gender, Food Security, and Technology. PCVs also could serve on a variety of Peace Corps committees that support the country program, which includes Education, Health, and Agriculture.
Peace Corps Tanzania promotes gender awareness and girls’ education and empowerment. You will receive training on gender challenges, and you will have the opportunity to implement gender-related activities that are contextually appropriate. During your service, you will look for ways to work with community members to promote gender-equitable norms and increase girls’ sense of agency. As part of your work, you will also report on these efforts.
Corporal punishment is legal and a common way teachers discipline their students. While the government has regulations regarding permissible forms of corporal punishment, these rules are not always followed or enforced at the local level. PCVs will most likely encounter corporal punishment, which may or may not adhere to the legal restrictions. Many PCVs find this aspect of life very challenging, particularly when it is necessary to develop good working relationships with colleagues. Peace Corps Tanzania has implemented a Student Friendly Schools program to open a dialogue between PCVs and their colleagues, and to explore culturally appropriate and acceptable alternatives to corporal punishment.
Required Skills
Competitive candidates will have ONE or more of the following criteria:
- Bachelors of Arts/Bachelors of Science degree in Secondary Education with concentration in any science
- Bachelors of Arts/Bachelors of Science degree in any discipline with secondary certification in science
- Bachelors of Arts/Bachelors of Science degree in General Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or Engineering
- Bachelors of Arts/Bachelors of Science degree in any physical science or any biological science or equivalent
- Bachelors of Arts/Bachelors of Science degree in any discipline with a minor or equivalent (15 semester/22 quarter hours) in Biology, Chemistry, or Physics
Desired Skills
- A university degree in any science subject strongly preferred.
- Teaching experience with a strong desire to teach science in Tanzania.
- Self-Starter/Initiative: Demonstrate resourcefulness and creativity to proactively take action with minimal supervision or guidance.
- Accountability: The ability to make conscious decisions to act in accordance with Peace Corps’ expectations, policies, and procedures.
Please upload a copy of your unofficial or official transcripts when you apply. It will expedite the processing of your application.
Required Language Skills
There are no pre-requisite language requirements for this position. All Trainees will learn the local language throughout Pre-Service Training. PCVs are expected and encouraged to continue improving their local language skills throughout the service. Peace Corps Tanzania provides local language tutoring allowance during service except in the last three months of service. PCVs are expected and encouraged to continue improving their Kiswahili skills.
According to the United Nations, Kiswahili is spoken by over 200 million people and is a communicative language in many Southeast African countries. Many organizations within the United States have termed it a critical language. Tanzania presents a unique opportunity for PCVs to demonstrate accountability for critical language learning that can be used professionally post-service. PCVs selected to serve Tanzania can demonstrate core competencies of continual learning and initiative by connecting to resources such as Duo Lingo: duolingo.com/course/sw/en/Learn-swahili.
Living conditions
During the hottest months (November-February) temperatures can be 90-105 °F in the lowlands, and 70-80 °F in the highlands. During the cold season (June-August), temperatures can be 60-75 °F in the lowlands and coast, and from 40-50 °F in the highlands. There are short rains in November-December, and longer rains between March-May.
PCVs are placed in rural communities. These communities can be within a few hours of small to mid-size towns with more goods and services. Travel to Dar es Salaam can take from five hours to three days by road. PCVs generally use public buses as their main transportation.
The host village provides PCV housing. This is typically a stand-alone house. Housing structures, bathroom facilities, and access to running water or electricity will vary. Housing may have no or minimal furnishings. Solar lamps will be the main source of lighting, and gas stoves are used for cooking and heating during cold spells. Tanzanians keep their homes and courtyards clean and tidy. PCVs are expected to do likewise.
PCVs serve in communities that have been assessed to meet agency requirements. Access to and/or consistency of electricity and running water readily in one’s home is not a guarantee. Many PCVs are beginning to live with those amenities in their communities or homes. PCVs will want to exercise the PCV competencies: adaptability and flexible thinking, emotional agility, and problem solving to the inevitable challenges of living in a new environment.
Personal appearance is important to Tanzanians. Female PCVs are expected to wear modest dresses and skirts below the knees, with upper arms and shoulders covered and modest shoes or sandals. On Zanzibar or in other coastal Muslim communities, females tend to be more accepted when they cover their head as is the custom there. When exercising outside, females should wear a sarong or cloth tied over shorts or yoga pants. Male PCVs should wear slacks, collared shirts, and loafers or other closed toed shoes when presenting themselves professionally. PCVs’ professional appearance, work habits, and positive attitude will help them gain respect in their community.
PCVs on Zanzibar have an opportunity for unique intercultural integration as Zanzibar is majority Muslim and operates on an Islamic calendar which noticeably impacts acceptable norms. Zanzibar may favor individuals with knowledge of Islam or a willingness to build that knowledge.
You may witness variations in local dress. What’s stated here is the common norm and will be the expectation during PST and throughout your service. Presentation and dress are important tools for community integration, especially at a time when your local knowledge and language are just beginning to build. PCVs will learn and practice the PCV competencies of intercultural engagement and accountability by adhering to dress code norms.
PCVs will encounter different social and cultural norms that require flexibility and understanding. The American sense of privacy in terms of information-sharing or physical space doesn’t really exist in Tanzania. PCVs are frequently asked personal questions, and people will wonder why a PCV might want alone time. There is also the added element of curiosity from children.
Peace Corps provides a settling-in allowance used to purchase furnishings necessary to make houses comfortable on a modest scale. PCVs get a stipend to purchase a bike to make transportation in and around their communities easier.
Feminine hygiene products are available via the Peace Corps Medical Office or through an allowance where you’ll purchase them on your own. Variety and brands will differ from what would be purchased in the U.S.
Learn more about the Volunteer experience in Tanzania: Get detailed information on culture, communications, housing, and health/crime statistics in order to make a well-informed decision about serving.
Medical considerations
Before you apply, please review medical clearance and legal clearance to learn about the process.
Couples information
Peace Corps Tanzania Can Accept Couples Who Wish To Serve Together. To Serve As a Couple In Tanzania, Your Partner Must Qualify And Apply For One Of The Following Programs
- Community Health Educator
- Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator
- Secondary School Math Teacher
- Secondary School Science Teacher
Couples will live together with a host family during Pre-Service Training but may be separated for short-term field-based activities if they are in different project sectors. During service, couples will live together in a village house. Due to Tanzania's cultural expectation that whenever a couple lives together, they are by default married, unmarried couples should be prepared to present themselves as married throughout their service.
