​Play and Learn Project​

Funded by SoS Children’s Village, the.​Play and learn project was a one-year program designed to improve learning outcomes for children by enhancing existing pre and lower primary instruction and supporting innovative Early Childhood Education (ECE) strategies in line with current policy initiatives in Tanzania. 

Play and learn main goal was to respond to SoS Children Village commitments to support children in early years on basic education (pre-primary, standard one and standard two classes). Different strategies have been put in place to improve teaching and learning including the improvement of the teaching and learning environment. 

One of the strategies is the provision of training on alternative approaches in promoting interactive learning and teaching in early years to classroom teachers and leadership and mentoring training to school leaders. 

Therefore SOS Children’s Village Tanzania engaged Aga Khan University IED EA to provide technical and professional support in developing and implementing trainings to teachers, school leaders and parents.


Approach used when conducting trainings and sensitization of teachers and parents

  • Pre assessment (situational analysis) of current pre-primary, standard one and two classes

  • Teacher training in Early Years and Leadership and Mentoring

  • Post training observations 

  • Parental partnership workshops


Project Catchment area: 10 primary schools from Zingiziwa and Chanika wards of Ilala District, Dar es salaam.


Project Outcomes

  • More 3000 children participated in the Play and Learn pre and lower primary classes 

  • 64 teachers have received training in delivering a quality pre-primary education in line with the new curriculum, including techniques for managing large numbers of children

  • 10 primary schools have participated in the programme, and investments been made from both local and programme resources to transform the pre-primary classrooms into highly stimulating learning environments

  • More than 3000 parents were engaged in the programme with the aim of building a teacher/parent partnership so that they work together in preparing teaching and playing materials from the local materials found in their surrounding.