Frequently asked questions
Straight answers to the questions we are asked most
If your question is not answered here, the secretariat can help. Registration and account issues are the most common, so start there.
Does my school need an account before registering?
No. Registration is open and needs no login. An account is created for your primary contact once the form is submitted.
What if my NECTA registration number is not found?
Continue with the form and enter the school details manually. Lookup failing does not block registration.
The system says my school is already registered. What now?
Do not submit a second registration. Use Forgot password on the sign-in page with the primary contact's email, or contact the administrator to recover access.
How long does approval take?
An administrator reviews each submission. Approval is not automatic, and it depends on the documents being complete and legible. You receive an email when the school is approved.
I registered but cannot sign in.
Sign-in stays closed until an administrator approves the school. Until then you will see a notice that the account is awaiting approval. Wait for the approval email.
Where does my password come from?
A temporary password is emailed to the primary contact when the school is submitted. Change it immediately after your first sign-in.
Can I add other staff to our account?
Yes. A head teacher or registrar can create additional accounts for the school with the role of head teacher, registrar or teacher. Each new user receives their own temporary password.
Who can add or edit student records?
Only registrar, head teacher and super administrator roles can create or change student records.
What is the minimum needed to add a student?
First name, last name and school. Everything else — date of birth, nationality, class, admission details and guardians — is optional but strongly recommended.
Can I upload a whole class at once?
Yes. Download the official Excel template, fill one class per file, and upload it. Accepted formats are .xlsx, .xls, .xlsm and .xlsb, up to 15 MB.
My upload failed. Was anything saved?
No. The upload is all-or-nothing. If a row fails validation the system lists the exact rows and fields to fix, and nothing is written until every row passes.
What happens to a student who transfers to another school?
The transfer is raised in the system and reviewed. The student keeps one identity, so academic history moves with the student rather than staying behind.
Which qualifications can be reviewed?
International qualifications presented for recognition in Tanzania, including Cambridge and IB awards, are reviewed against the corresponding Tanzanian level.
How long is an equivalence decision valid?
The decision is recorded against the student's record with its supporting evidence, so it can be referenced again without resubmitting the same documents.
Can an individual apply, or only a school?
Schools and institutions with an account can raise applications directly. Individual applicants should contact the secretariat for the current submission route.
Still stuck?
Send us the school name, the NECTA registration number and a short description of what you are seeing. That is usually enough to resolve it in one reply.