Necessity of Education for Efficient and Sustainable Production and Consumption of Energy in Tanzania

Abstract

This paper reports the findings of a study that was conducted in Tanzania to grasp how the policies, plans and curricula at different levels of education accommodate knowledge gathered on energy to support the fostering of energy education. The study interrogated what necessitates the inclusion of energy education into the curricula in Tanzania. Subscribing to a qualitative approach, the study employed a desk research method to review curricula and other documents guiding secondary and university level education in the country. The study  found out that heightening people’s consumption of energy for domestic and industrial purposes constituted the main issue that necessitates the provision of energy education. Collected data further show that, the Tanzanian curricula targets giving the people knowledge and awareness for safety and how to optimise the use of energy sources, both effectively and efficiently. Moreover, energy education is essentially due to threats of depletion, discovery of new sources of energy, and the need for skilled workers. Such education is also necessary to address the need for expertise and technological advancements in production and consumption methods. The threat of environmental degradation and global warming also make it necessary that people become energy literate. In some cases, energy education aims to meet the investors’ needs and provide general knowledge in addition to serving diplomatic purposes. Overall, the study found out that energy education is essential for ensuring the country has sustained energy supply and use, while meeting the needs of the population, and fostering economic growth.