is an official Secondary School Computer Studies Syllabus for Forms I – IV developed in 1996 and issued in 1997, it is out of date with respect to the evolution of technology since the early 90`s. Furthermore the lack of a programme for training teachers on computers and other multi-media utilization has been identified as a major reason for slow take up of computer studies in primary and secondary schools. Typing skills and the use of “mockups” as teaching aids to simulate computers and peripherals should be promoted in schools that cannot afford to purchase ICT equipment. In general, there is a shortage of well-qualified professionals of ICT in Tanzania. There are also no well-established ICT professional profiles, and a standardised process of evaluation or certification of the different courses offered by various training centres is lacking. Access to online and distance learning for ICT is also still limited. Furthermore, opportunities for training are mostly limited to few urban centres. While there are many Tanzanian websites, most are in English, and are not, therefore, a dominant medium for society to access information. Many websites are not updated regularly and appear to be an advertising presence on the Web. However some are vibrant websites with the majority publishing local news on the Web, while others demonstrate some convergence by giving access to local radio programmes on the Internet. There has been recent controversy on access to pornography via the Internet causing concern for safeguarding of our diverse mores, morals and culture. The potential for e-commerce is constrained by the lack of local credit cards and an appropriate legal framework that engenders an environment of trust, security and accountability. 2.8 Policy The Communications Act was enacted in 1993 and the National Telecommunications Policy (NTP) was launched in 1997. The telecommunications sector has been partially liberalised with an ”independent” regulator, and competition has grown in mobile cellular services, radio paging, internet services data communications services, and value added services. While there is provision for a Rural Telecommunication Development Fund, this has not yet been implemented, leaving matters of universal access to the liberalised environment. On the other hand, since the financial year 2001/2002, all taxes and duties on computers and peripherals have been abolished. This has been enthusiastically received. Other Acts and policies directly relevant to ICT include the Broadcasting Services Act of 1993 and the Broadcasting Services Policy that is currently under review; the National Science and Technology Policy of 1996; and the Tanzania Development Vision 2025 of 1998. These need to be reviewed and linked with the National ICT Policy, notably with the anticipated merger of the telecommunications and broadcasting regulators. Page 8