DUCE hosts launching of the collaborative project on teacher education, wellbeing and retention
Dar es Salaam University College of Education (DUCE) in collaboration with other universities, has officially launched the project titled “Supporting Teacher Education, Wellbeing, and Retention via Informing Feasible Educational Policies and Incentives in Africa (STEP-EA)”. The launch event took place on the college premises on 6th June 2025.
The launch of STEP-EA marks a significant milestone in collective efforts of addressing the pressing challenges facing the teaching profession in East Africa-particularly in Tanzania, Kenya, and South Sudan.
The project, funded by the European Union’s Global Gateway initiative with a grant of TZS 2.0 billion, has brought together a consortium of six partner universities. These include Häme University of Applied Sciences (Finland), Dar es Salaam University College of Education (DUCE), and Mkwawa University College of Education (MUCE) from Tanzania, University of Juba in South Sudan, as well as Egerton University and the University of Nairobi from Kenya.
In her welcoming remarks, Dr. Christina Raphael, Principal Investigator (PI) of the DUCE team, introduced all team members and provided an overview of the activities carried out throughout the week.
Providing further insight, Ms. Teija Lehtonen, the overall PI of the STEP-EA project from Häme University of Applied Sciences, explained that the team will employ both qualitative and quantitative research methods in data collection and analysis.
“…Based on that, we are examining education policies and the implementation of teacher education curricula. Specifically, we are identifying best practices that will help teachers thrive in their profession. We believe this project will be successfully implemented and benefit as many teachers as possible…” she said.
In his keynote address, Professor Nelson Boniface, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research) at the University of Dar es Salaam, emphasized that the project aligns with national efforts to renew curricula and review education policy, with a focus on skills development and measurable impact.
He noted that the STEP-EA project aims to generate empirical insights into teacher wellbeing, agency, and professional identity. It also seeks to analyze how education policies and teacher education curricula influence teacher motivation, workload, and retention, while offering policy recommendations and leadership practices to enhance teacher effectiveness.
In his welcoming address, DUCE Principal Prof. Stephen Maluka congratulated the team for securing this highly competitive research grant, noting that among many submitted proposals, only six were selected.
“…This achievement demonstrates the team's dedication to preparing strong proposals and selecting topics that are relevant across the participating countries. The project is evidence-based and aims to uncover teachers’ lived experiences, offering practical solutions to ensure that teachers are motivated, supported, and empowered to be effective…” he said.
Her Excellency Theresa Zitting, Ambassador of Finland to Tanzania, remarked that the launch of this regional teachers’ initiative is part of the European Union’s Global Gateway strategy, supported by several EU member states.
“…We strongly support deeper cooperation between Europe and Africa in education, research, innovation, skills, and employment. Education is at the heart of Finland's global cooperation. When we gained independence over a hundred years ago, we were a poor country, but through education and a commitment to quality, we have come a long way,” she noted.
This launch is not merely the beginning of a research project. It signifies a renewed commitment across institutions and disciplines to improve the experiences and future of teachers across our continent.