The UNESCO National Commission Act.

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CHAPTER 433
THE UNESCO NATIONAL COMMISSION ACT
[PRINCIPAL LEGISLATION]
Arrangement of Sections
Section Title
part i
PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS
1. Short title.
2. Application.
3. Interpretation.
part ii
ADMINISTRATION OF UNESCO IN TANZANIA
4. Establishment of Commission.
5. Functions of Commission.
6. Composition of Commission.
7. Technical Committees of Commission.
8. Members of Technical Committees.
9. Functions of Technical Committees.
10. Secretariat.
11. Executive Secretary.
12. Deputy Secretary.
13. Other officers and staff of Secretariat.
part iii
FINANCIAL PROVISIONS
14. Funds and resource of Commission.
15. Books of accounts.
16. Remuneration.

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136
part iv
GENERAL PROVISIONS
17. Direction by Minister.
18. Former officers.
19. Regulations.
SCHEDULE

NATIONAL COMMISSION ACT [CAP. 433 R.E. 2023]
136
part iv
GENERAL PROVISIONS
17. Direction by Minister.
18. Former officers.
19. Regulations.
SCHEDULE

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PART I
PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS
1. This Act may be cited as the UNESCO National
Commission Act. 2. This Act shall apply to Mainland Tanzania as well as to
Tanzania Zanzibar. 3. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires-
“Chairman” means Chairman of the Commission and
includes an acting Chairman;
“Government” means the Government of United Republic
of Tanzania;
“Commission” means the UNESCO National Commission
of the United Republic of Tanzania;
“Executive Secretary” means Executive Secretary of the
Commission appointed under section 11(2);
“Minister” means the Minister responsible for UNESCO
affairs in the United Republic of Tanzania;
“UNESCO” means United Nations Educational, Scientific
and Cultural Organisation;
“Technical Committee” means a Technical Committee
established under section 7;
“technical sector” includes education, natural science, social
science, culture and information.

ns a Technical Committee
established under section 7;
“technical sector” includes education, natural science, social
science, culture and information.

Short title
Application
Interpretation
CHAPTER 433
THE UNESCO NATIONAL COMMISSION ACT
An Act to provide for the establishment of the UNESCO National
Commission and to provide for related matters. [6th June, 2008]
Act No. 7 of 2008

N ACT
An Act to provide for the establishment of the UNESCO National
Commission and to provide for related matters. [6th June, 2008]
Act No. 7 of 2008

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138
PART II
ADMINISTRATION OF UNESCO IN TANZANIA
4. There is established a commission to be known as the
UNESCO National Commission of the United Republic
referred to under the provisions of this Act as “the
Commission”. 5.–(1) The Commission shall, on behalf of the Government,
perform all functions of UNESCO within the United
Republic.

of this Act as “the
Commission”. 5.–(1) The Commission shall, on behalf of the Government,
perform all functions of UNESCO within the United
Republic.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1),
the Commission shall-
(a) cooperate with Government Ministries, organisations,
institutions and individuals concerned with UNESCO’s
area of competence;
(b) encourage participation of governmental and non-
governmental institutions and various individuals
in the formulation and execution of UNESCO’s
related programmes so as to secure for UNESCO all
the intellectual, scientific, artistic or administrative
assistance that it might require;
(c) disseminate information on the objectives, programmes
and activities of UNESCO;
(d) participate in the planning and execution of activities
entrusted to UNESCO which are undertaken with
the assistance of the United Nations agencies and
multilateral organisations;
(e) participate in the search for candidates for UNESCO
posts, fellowships, missions and consultancies financed
under the regular programme and from UNESCO’s
extra budgetary resources and in the placement of
UNESCO fellowship holders;
(f) participate with other National Commissions in joint
studies on matters of interest to UNESCO;
Establishment of
Commission
Functions of
Commission

(f) participate with other National Commissions in joint
studies on matters of interest to UNESCO;
Establishment of
Commission
Functions of
Commission

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THE UNESCO NATIONAL COMMISSION ACT [CAP. 433 R.E.

rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG.139
THE UNESCO NATIONAL COMMISSION ACT [CAP. 433 R.E.

2023]
(g) cooperate with the Tanzania delegation to the UNESCO
General Conference and other intergovernmental
meetings convened by UNESCO by coordinating the
preparations, participation and reporting for such
meetings;
(h) collaborate with UNESCO’s regional offices and
centres in fostering regional, sub-regional and bilateral
cooperation in education, science, technology, culture,
information and communication, particularly through
the joint formulation, execution and evaluation of
programmes;
(i) undertake its own initiatives in other activities related
to the general objectives of UNESCO of interest to the
United Republic;
(j) fulfill membership obligation to UNESCO;
(k) collaborate with the office of the Permanent
Delegation of the United Republic to UNESCO in the
implementation of UNESCO activities;
(l) recruit and supervise the employment of the Secretariat
staff;
(m) set up committees on education, natural and social
sciences, culture, information and communication and
other committees as the need arises; and
(n) perform such other functions as may be directed by the
Minister or as may be provided for by any other written
law.

ittees as the need arises; and
(n) perform such other functions as may be directed by the
Minister or as may be provided for by any other written
law.

6.–(1) The Commission shall consist of-
(a) the Chairman who shall be appointed by the President
and the Vice-Chairman who shall be appointed by the
Minister subject to subsection (3);
(b) not more than ten members appointed from ministries
and institutions from Mainland Tanzania as follows-
(i) Ministry responsible for education;
(ii) Ministry responsible for communication, science
and technology;
Composition of
Commission

nia as follows-
(i) Ministry responsible for education;
(ii) Ministry responsible for communication, science
and technology;
Composition of
Commission

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140
(iii) Ministry responsible for foreign affairs and East
African Cooperation;
(iv) Ministry responsible for youth development;
(v) Ministry responsible for women affairs;
(vi) one member from Universities;
(vii) Tanzania Commission for Science and
Technology;
(viii) Ministry responsible for information and culture;
(ix) the umbrella non-governmental organisation;
(c) not more than four members appointed from ministries
and institutions from Tanzania Zanzibar as follows-
(i) Ministry responsible for education;
(ii) Ministry responsible for information and culture;
(iii) Ministry responsible for youth, women
development and children;
(iv) the umbrella non-governmental organisation;
(d) two members appointed by the Minister one from
Mainland Tanzania and one from Zanzibar; and
(e) Executive Secretary of the UNESCO National
Commission of United Republic.

ed by the Minister one from
Mainland Tanzania and one from Zanzibar; and
(e) Executive Secretary of the UNESCO National
Commission of United Republic.

(2) Members under paragraphs (b) and (c) of subsection
(1), shall be appointed by the Minister upon nomination by
their respective ministries or institutions. (3) Where the Chairman hails from Mainland Tanzania the
Vice-Chairman shall hail from Tanzania Zanzibar, and vice
versa. (4) In appointing members under this section, the President
or as the case may be, the Minister, shall take into account
a person’s knowledge and experience in education, natural
science, social sciences, information and culture. (5) The Schedule to this Act shall have effect as to the tenure
of office of members, and proceedings of the Commission. (6) The Minister may, by notice published in the Gazette,
amend, vary or replace all or any of the provisions of the
Schedule to this Act.

Commission. (6) The Minister may, by notice published in the Gazette,
amend, vary or replace all or any of the provisions of the
Schedule to this Act.

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THE UNESCO NATIONAL COMMISSION ACT [CAP. 433 R.E. 2023]
(7) The Executive Secretary shall be the Secretary to the
Commission. 7.–(1) The Commission may, for the purpose of facilitating
performance of functions under this section, appoint not more
than five Technical Committees to accomplish such functions
as may be delegated by the Commission. (2) Technical Committees appointed under subsection (1)
shall be-
(a) Education Technical Committee;
(b) Natural Science Technical Committee;
(c) Social Science Technical Committee;
(d) Culture Technical Committee; and
(e) Information and Communication Technical Committee. (3) Members of each Technical Committee shall elect the
Chairman from amongst their number. (4) Each head of a technical sector specified under
subsection (2) shall be the coordinator of the functions of a
technical committee established for the sector. (5) Technical Committees established under this section
shall be responsible and accountable to the Secretariat.

committee established for the sector. (5) Technical Committees established under this section
shall be responsible and accountable to the Secretariat.

8.–(1) Each Technical Committee shall be composed of not
more than six members appointed by the Minister from
various offices under the relevant sector. (2) The Education Technical Committee shall be composed
of members appointed from-
(a) the Ministry responsible for Science and Technology;
(b) the Ministry responsible for education being one
from the office of the Chief Education Officer and
one from the Department of Higher Education;
(c) the Ministry responsible for education and vocational
training, Zanzibar, Office of the Commissioner for
Education;
(d) universities offering education programmes; and
(e) UNESCO National Commission (Education Sector). Technical
Committees of
Commission
Members of
Technical
Committees

fering education programmes; and
(e) UNESCO National Commission (Education Sector). Technical
Committees of
Commission
Members of
Technical
Committees

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142
(3) The Natural Science Technical Committee shall be
composed of members appointed from-
(a) a representative of association of public universities;
(b) a representative of association of private universities;
(c) the Institute of Marine Sciences University of Dar es
Salaam;
(d) a representative of Department of Natural Science from
a public or private university;
(e) Ministry responsible for energy and minerals,
Department of Science and Technology; and
(f) UNESCO National Commission of Tanzania (Natural
Science Sector).

ry responsible for energy and minerals,
Department of Science and Technology; and
(f) UNESCO National Commission of Tanzania (Natural
Science Sector).

(4) The Social Science Technical Committee shall be
composed of members from-
(a) the Ministry responsible for community development,
gender and children, Department of Women and
Children Development;
(b) the Ministry responsible for labour, employment
and youth development, Department of Youth
Development;
(c) the Ministry responsible for youth development,
employment, women and Children, Zanzibar,
Department of Youth Development;
(d) UNESCO National Commission, (Social Science
Sector); and
(e) a representative of association of public universities and
a representative of association of private universities. (5) The Culture Technical Committee shall be composed of
members appointed from-
(a) the Ministry responsible for natural resources and
tourism, Department of Antiquities;
(b) the Ministry responsible for information, culture and
sports, Zanzibar, Commission for Culture and Sports;
(c) the Ministry responsible for culture;
(d) the National Museum of Tanzania; and
(e) the UNESCO National Commission (Culture Sector).

re and Sports;
(c) the Ministry responsible for culture;
(d) the National Museum of Tanzania; and
(e) the UNESCO National Commission (Culture Sector).

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THE UNESCO NATIONAL COMMISSION ACT [CAP. 433 R.E. 2023]
(6) The Information and Communication Technical
Committee shall be composed of members from-
(a) the Ministry responsible for information, culture and
sports, Department of Information;
(b) the Ministry responsible for information, culture and
sports, Zanzibar, Department of Information;
(c) the Tanzania Library Service Board;
(d) the Department of Journalism or Department of Mass
Communication from a public or private university;
(e) UNESCO National Commission (Communication
Sector). 9. The functions of each Technical Committee shall be to-
(a) advise the Secretariat on all technical matters regarding
the sector to which it relates;
(b) examine the annual report and draft estimates before
their submission to the Commission;
(c) supervise the implementation of the Commission’s
approved programmes relating to sector to which it
belongs; and
(d) perform such other technical functions as the
Commission may direct.

Commission’s
approved programmes relating to sector to which it
belongs; and
(d) perform such other technical functions as the
Commission may direct.

10.–(1) There shall be a Secretariat of the Commission which
shall be composed of-
(a) the Executive Secretary;
(b) two Deputy Executive Secretaries; and
(c) such number of officials and staff as may be required. (2) The matters relating to departments and units of
the Secretariat shall be as the Minister may prescribe in the
regulations. (3) It shall be the duty of the Secretariat to conduct daily
affairs of the Commission. Functions
of Technical
Committees
Secretariat

the
regulations. (3) It shall be the duty of the Secretariat to conduct daily
affairs of the Commission. Functions
of Technical
Committees
Secretariat

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144
11.–(1) The Secretariat of the Commission shall be headed by
the Executive Secretary. (2) The Executive Secretary shall be appointed by the
Minister from amongst senior public servants who shall hold
office for a term of five years and be eligible for reappointment. (3) The Executive Secretary shall be the Secretary to the
Commission. 12.–(1) There shall be two Deputy Secretaries appointed by the
Minister amongst senior public servants from either side of
the United Republic. (2) Each Deputy Executive Secretary shall be the head of
the department of the Secretariat and in discharge of duties be
accountable to the Executive Secretary. 13. The Commission shall appoint such number of officers and
staff of the Secretariat as may be required for the performance
of duties of the Secretariat.

The Commission shall appoint such number of officers and
staff of the Secretariat as may be required for the performance
of duties of the Secretariat.

PART III
FINANCIAL PROVISIONS
14.–(1) Sources of the fund of the Commission shall include-
(a) such amounts as may be appropriated by Parliament;
(b) such sums as may be payable to the Commission by
way of donation, gifts, grants, loans or bequests;
(c) such sums as may in any manner become payable to or
vested in the Commission or acquired in the course of
discharging of its duties; and
(d) any other lawful source of funding. (2) The funds and resources of the Commission shall
be applied for the purposes for which the Commission
is established and in accordance with directions of the
Commission. Executive
Secretary
Deputy Secretary
Other officers and
staff of Secretariat
Funds and
resource of
Commission

dance with directions of the
Commission. Executive
Secretary
Deputy Secretary
Other officers and
staff of Secretariat
Funds and
resource of
Commission

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THE UNESCO NATIONAL COMMISSION ACT [CAP. 433 R.E. 2023]
15.–(1) The Commission shall-
(a) cause to be kept proper books of accounts and other
records relating to the funds and resources of the
Commission;
(b) within three months after the end of each financial
year, cause such accounts to be audited in accordance
with the Public Finance Act;
(c) prepare and publish an annual report which shall
contain-
(i) estimates of income and expenditure for the year
stated in the report;
(ii) account of operation during the year for which
the report was prepared;
(iii) audited accounts; and
(iv) such other information or matter as may be
required. (2) The annual report of the Commission and the auditors
reports shall be forwarded to the Minister who shall as soon
as may be practicable lay the reports before the National
Assembly. 16. Members of the Commission and Technical Committees
shall be paid from the fund, allowances at such rates as may be
determined by the Commission upon approval by the Minister. PART IV
GENERAL PROVISIONS
17.

l be paid from the fund, allowances at such rates as may be
determined by the Commission upon approval by the Minister. PART IV
GENERAL PROVISIONS
17.

The Minister may give specific or general direction to the
Commission on any matter relevant to its objectives, and the
Commission shall give effect to such direction. 18.–(1) Subject to the provisions of subsection (4), every
officer and staff shall, as from the commencement of this Act,
be deemed to be an officer or as the case may be, staff of the
Commission. Books of accounts
Cap. 348
Remuneration
Direction by
Minister
Former officers

deemed to be an officer or as the case may be, staff of the
Commission. Books of accounts
Cap. 348
Remuneration
Direction by
Minister
Former officers

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146
(2) The terms and conditions of service of the former officer
shall be governed by the provisions of this Act and regulations
made thereunder. (3) Subsection (2) shall not be construed to permit any
reduction in the salary to which the former officer was entitled
immediately before the commencement of this Act. (4) For the purpose of determining any right to pension,
gratuity or other terminal benefits of a former officer, his
service with the Commission shall be regarded as continuous
with his service immediately before the commencement of
this Act. (5) For the purpose of this section “former officer” means
any person employed as a staff or employee of UNESCO office
immediately preceding the date of commencement of this Act. 19.–(1) The Minister may, upon the advice of the Commission,
make regulations for the better carrying out of the purposes
and provisions of this Act.

19.–(1) The Minister may, upon the advice of the Commission,
make regulations for the better carrying out of the purposes
and provisions of this Act.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1),
the Minister may make regulations prescribing-
(a) various procedural matters regarding the
implementation of provision of this Act;
(b) forms to be used under this Act;
(c) staff management, disciplinary procedures and such
other matters relating to officers and staff of the
Secretariat in conformity with the Public Service Act;
(d) procedures for performance of Technical Committees;
and
(e) anything which needs to be prescribed under this Act. (3) Regulations made under this Act shall be published in
the Gazette. Regulations
Cap. 298

(e) anything which needs to be prescribed under this Act. (3) Regulations made under this Act shall be published in
the Gazette. Regulations
Cap. 298

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THE UNESCO NATIONAL COMMISSION ACT [CAP. 433 R.E. 2023]
SCHEDULE
(Made under section 6(5))
PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE COMMISSION
1.–(1) The Chairman shall hold office for a period of three years and
may be eligible for re-appointment once. (2) The Vice Chairman and a member of the Commission, shall,
unless his appointment is sooner terminated by the Minister, or he
ceases in any other way to be a member, hold office for a period of three
years and may be eligible for re-appointment for one further term. (3) A member appointed by virtue of his office shall cease to be a
member upon ceasing to hold the office entitling appointment to the
Commission. 2.

(3) A member appointed by virtue of his office shall cease to be a
member upon ceasing to hold the office entitling appointment to the
Commission. 2.

Notwithstanding paragraph 1(2), any member of the Commission,
other than the Chairman or a person holding an office of Chairman or
a person holding an office of emolument under the United Republic,
may at any time resign from membership of Commission by notice
in writing addressed to the appointing authority, who shall forthwith
cause it to be forwarded to the Commission, and from the date of the
receipt by the Commission of such notice, such member shall cease to
be a member of the Commission. 3.–(1) The Commission shall meet not 1ess than four times in a year
and at such times as may be necessary or expedient for the transaction
of its business and such meetings shall be held at such places and time
and dates as may be determined by the Chairman. (2) The Secretary of the Commission shall give notice of a meeting
to each member not less than fourteen days before the date of meeting. (3) The Chairman shall preside at all meetings of the Commission,
and in his absence, the Vice Chairman. (4) In the absence of both the Chairman and Vice Chairman,
members present and constituting a quorum shall elect from among
themselves a temporary Chairman who shall preside at the meeting. 4.

d Vice Chairman,
members present and constituting a quorum shall elect from among
themselves a temporary Chairman who shall preside at the meeting. 4.

Where a member of the Commission who is a member by virtue of his
office is unable for any reason to attend any meeting of the Commission
he may nominate another person from his organisation to represent
him in the meeting. 5. The quorum at any meeting of the Commission shall be half of the
members. 6.–(1) Subject to subparagraph (2), matters proposed at a meeting
of the Commission shall be decided by a majority of the votes of the
members present and voting and to the event of any equality of vote
then the person presiding shall have a casting vote in addition to his
deliberative vote. Tenure of office
Termination of
membership
Meetings of
Commission
Absent members
to be represented
Quorum
Decision of
Commission

is
deliberative vote. Tenure of office
Termination of
membership
Meetings of
Commission
Absent members
to be represented
Quorum
Decision of
Commission

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148
(2) A decision may be made by the Commission without a meeting
by circulation of the relevant papers among the members and the
expression of the views of the members in writing, but any member
may require that the decision be deferred and the subject matter be
considered at a meeting of the Commission. 7.–(1) The Commission shall cause to be recorded and kept minutes of
all business conducted or transacted at the meetings and the minutes
of each meeting of the Commission shall be read and confirmed or
amended and confirmed at the next meeting of the Commission and
signed by the person presiding and the Secretary to the meeting. (2) Any minutes purporting to be signed by the person presiding
and the Secretary at a meeting of the Commission shall in the absence
of proof of error be deemed to be a correct record of the meeting whose
minutes they purport to be. 8.

meeting of the Commission shall in the absence
of proof of error be deemed to be a correct record of the meeting whose
minutes they purport to be. 8.

The validity of any act or proceeding of the Commission shall not
be affected by any vacancy among its members or by any defect in the
appointment of any of them. 9. All orders, directions, notices or other documents made or issued
on behalf of the Commission shall be signed by the Chairman or as the
case may be the Vice Chairman. 10. Any document purporting to be under the hand of the Secretary as
to any resolution of the Commission or as having been issued on behalf
of the Commission, shall be receivable in courts of law or tribunals
or other bodies authorised to receive evidence and shall unless the
contrary is shown, be deemed, without further proof to be sufficient
evidence of what is contained in the document. 11. Subject to the provisions of this Schedule, the Commission may
regulate its own proceedings. 12. A person shall cease to be member of the Commission where that
person-
(a) is absent from the three consecutive meetings of the
Commission without good cause;
(b) ceases to hold the office or position for which he was
appointed;
(c) tenders a resignation in writing to the appointing authority;
(d) is suffering from mental disorder or illness; or
(e) dies.

ich he was
appointed;
(c) tenders a resignation in writing to the appointing authority;
(d) is suffering from mental disorder or illness; or
(e) dies.

Minutes of
meeting
Vacancies not
to invalidate
proceedings
Orders, direction
of Commission
Proof of
documents
Commission may
regulate its own
proceedings
Cessation of
membership