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Tanzanian Education in 6 Figures

11.09.2019

Tanzanian Education in 6 Figures

66 = how many children the average government primary school classroom holds and it is not uncommon for a class to have over 100 students.

43 = the ratio of pupils to teachers at primary schools in Tanzania remains high at 1:43, higher than the sub-Saharan. At pre-primary level, this ratio reaches 1:69

7 = the number of years compulsory education lasts, from 7 to 13 years old. Given that this represents 45% of the population this puts a significant strain on resources.

1 =  the number of textbooks available for every 3 children. The Tanzanian Government is attempting to address the challenge of textbook availability through the introduction of the single book policy and the Textbook Strategy.

2 = the number of different languages used as the medium for teaching. ENGLISH is used as a medium of instruction in all secondary schools and higher learning institutions, but for nursery and primary schools KISWAHILI remains the medium of instruction. Students have reported being unprepared for the transition to English and it is thought to contribute to drop-out and repetition rates in secondary school.

15 = the percentage that education makes up of the overall annual budget of government expenditure which represents 3.9% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). But the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) recommends this should be at least 20%.

Some Simple Things That Make a Difference

Clearly, much work has to be done to lobby the Tanzanian Government to invest more heavily in their education system to provide more qualified teachers, development of more well-built schools, better maintenance of existing schools and providing sufficient learning materials and so on.

But there are still many simple solutions that can be implemented cost effectively in the short-term which will have a significant impact and long-term benefit. For example:

  • Providing volunteer teaching assistants.
  • Donation of additional learning materials and basic stationery.
  • Sponsorship of children to ensure they can both go to and complete their Secondary School education.
  • Providing basic healthcare including both basic ways of preventing illness in the first place and then simple but effective treatment in the early stages to avoid such illnesses developing into more serious cases.
  • Assisting in the maintenance and provision of both better sanitation and classrooms.

How Can You Help Us?

help2kids are a young and dynamic Swiss-based non-profit organisation operating in Africa. We support children in need, and we strive to enable them to pursue a sustainable future. We believe that small actions have big effects.

Our objective is to give some of the most vulnerable children in Tanzania and Malawi access to the basic necessities that all children deserve; education, food, health care, shelter, and a loving family environment so that they can break out of the cycle of poverty and live happy, productive lives.

You can find out more about what we do and how you can help by visiting us at www.help2kids.org

We believe in the power of education and the potential of all children. Help us to help, today!