Attaining Education

In America  September means the start of school for children aged 6 and up. 

In Tanzania school has already been in session since mid July.  
There are two terms for students.  One starts in the middle of July and runs through November.  The second one starts in January goes through the early part of June.

Education is taken very seriously and is believed to be the driving force that will allow the nation to mobilize natural resources to meet the material needs of the people as well as attaining a competitiveness in the regional and global economies.

There are 2 main levels of school for children in Tanzania:  Primary School, and Secondary School. 

Children in Primary School are between the ages of 7 and 13.  Students progress through Standards I-VII.  This is the American equivalent of Elementary and Middle school.  

The school day begins around 8am and runs until 4pm.  The days are filled with activity, with only a break mid-day.  Governmental and other feeding programs, such as those provided by The World Food Programme, provide light meals.  Providing a lunch has proven to increase school attendance and decrease the drop out rate due to hunger related issues.   

Students in Primary School learn Kiswahili (which is the national language), mathematics, science, geography, civics, history, English language, vocational subjects, French, religion, information and communication technology, and school sports.  Instruction is given in Kiswahili.  At the end of the 7th year, children are required to take a national examination to be able to continue their education. 
It is a rigorous and comprehensive test.

Students who pass the national exam start Secondary School when they are 14.  Children progress through Form I-Form VII between the ages of 14 and 17, the American equivalent of High School.  Instruction is given in English.  English is seen as the link for Tanzanians to technology and the rest of the world.  Subjects are similar to those taught in Primary School including:  math, English, Kswahili, biology, history, geography, and religion.  Students may also choose 2 of the following subjects:  home economics, information and computer studies, additional math, music, fine arts, French, Arabic, or another foreign language. 

 

Education is important for children to be able to develop critical thinking skills and make advancements.  This is recognized at all levels, from individual families to the larger government.  Education is especially important for girls.  Education is a key factor on the age that girls become mothers.   Education is also a factor on how many children a mother has.  Girls with no education often have twice as many children as those who have had a secondary education or higher.  

Challenges to education include the cost associated with school attendance, limited resources, and teacher shortages.  The fees for providing school uniforms, supplies, and examination registration are often unaffordable, especially for rural families. 

Investing in education is investing in the future of Tanzanian communities.  Being able to afford education for all of their children is often a goal identified by families that Food for His Children serves.  The sale goat offspring and milk makes this an attainable goal.    


Written by:  Joni Hoffmann
Photography by:  Rob Holschbach (Asante Photojournalism), Dan Nersesian (DSN Photography), and Lynn Roghair

References:  
World Data on Education: VII Ed. 2010/11", United Republic of Tanzania, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

Education Sector Performance Report 2010/2011 
Accessed from:   http://www.ed-dpg.or.tz/pdf/ESPR%20and%20AM/2010-11%20Annual%20Education%20Sector%20Performance%20Report.pdf