School enrolment campaign targets more than 100,000 out-of-school children in Tanzania

Kigoma, 25 November 2024 – The Government of Tanzania, together with UNICEF and the Education Above All Foundation (EAA), launched the out-of-school children (OOSC) enrolment and retention campaign, “Kila Mtoto ana Ndoto ya Kesho Bora. Chukua Hatua. Rudi Shule!” (Every Child has a Dream for a Better Tomorrow. Take Action. Return to School). This campaign is part of a five-year programme, “Equitable Access to Quality Primary Education for Out-of-School Children in Tanzania,” which began in 2022 in the Kigoma, Tabora, and Songwe regions with support from UNICEF in partnership with the Education Above All (EAA) Foundation.

Tanzania has made significant strides in increasing primary school enrolment from 10.3 million to 11.4 million between 2019 and 2023. Despite this growth, the enrolment rate for school-age children dropped from 95.3 per cent to 86 per cent over the same period.  The regions included in this programme have the country's highest rates of out-of-school children, with Tabora leading at 44 per cent, followed by Kigoma at 25 per cent, and Songwe at 15 per cent. This campaign initiative aims to reverse this trend by addressing barriers to education access, including long distances to schools, corporal punishment, outdated cultural practices, poverty, insufficient school supplies, family conflicts, and the need for children to assist with farm work.

“Our nation’s progress relies heavily on the education of our young people because the strength of our economic growth depends on their potential,” said Honourable Thobias Andengenye, Regional Commissioner for Kigoma, during the campaign launch. The Government is committed to ensuring that every child has access to education and that no child is left behind. This campaign is essential for bringing out-of-school children back to classrooms, allowing them to build brighter futures and contribute to the country’s development.”

The programme is working to enrol and retain over 100,000 out-of-school children through awareness efforts and overcome barriers to education by implementing various interventions. These include renovating classrooms and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities, establishing education satellite centres in remote areas without schools, and distributing essential school supplies such as bags, notebooks, pens, and pencils. Adolescent girls are provided with menstrual hygiene products, while children with disabilities receive assistive devices. In addition, teachers are trained in inclusive pedagogy, guidance, counselling, and life skills to support these enrolment and retention initiatives.

“Education Above All believes that every child, no matter their circumstances, deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. This campaign, in conjunction with our project initiatives, is a strong step forward in helping children overcome the barriers that prevent them from accessing a quality education. Together with our partners, we are committed to ensuring that every child can enroll in school, thrive in a supportive learning environment, and contribute to a brighter future for themselves, their communities and for Tanzania,” said Mary Joy Pigozzi, Executive Director of EAA’s Educate A Child programme.

The campaign represents a renewed commitment from the Government, UNICEF and EAA to engage communities in addressing cultural and social barriers that prevent OOSC from accessing education. Communities will also participate in dialogue sessions and interactive radio programmes and receive print and digital messages aimed at shifting mindsets, promoting positive behaviours, and creating a supportive environment that encourages children to stay in school and succeed.

“ Education is a right for every child.  This campaign is a vital step toward ensuring that all children, regardless of their circumstances, can return to school and pursue their dreams,” said Elke Wisch, UNICEF Representative toTanzania. “By working with local government, communities, parents and children themselves, we can reduce the barriers that hinder girls and boys from accessing education and provide the essential support they need to fulfill their potential. This partnership between the EAA Foundation, the Government of Tanzania, and UNICEF reflects our shared commitment to bringing out-of-school children back to learning in efforts to leave no child behind.”