Over Sh460 billion pledged to boost quality, access to education

Attended by prominent education stakeholders from all 26 regions, the conference aimed to strategise ways to enhance the country’s education system amidst limited financial resources.

The event also featured the esteemed presence of retired President and chairperson of the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) board, Jakaya Kikwete, underscoring the gravity of the matter.

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The crux of the summit revolved around the unveiling of a new education policy draft, poised to reshape Tanzania’s education landscape. This development came against the backdrop of consecutive years of education budget deficits, with allocations consistently falling short of the recommended 20 percent benchmark set by GPE.

Despite ongoing efforts to incrementally increase the budget, the sector remained underfunded, imperilling the quality and accessibility of education nationwide.

To combat this issue head-on, the ministry of Education rallied education stakeholders representing diverse regions of the country.

Their collective commitment to contribute to a common fund aimed at bridging the budget gap demonstrated a pivotal shift in addressing the long-standing challenge.

In a resounding display of solidarity, pledges amounting to over Sh460 billion were made during the summit. GPE also pledged a substantial $50 million (Sh125.2 billion) to further support education in Tanzania.

This dual funding approach generated optimism and set a promising precedent for the government to execute critical education initiatives, according to the attendees.

“This large crowd of people who attended this event shows how the issue of contributing to education for the benefit of our nation’s society as a whole is taken seriously,” said Kikwete.

Retired President Kikwete’s presence at the event added a profound layer of significance. In his capacity as chairperson of GPE’s board, Kikwete highlighted the magnitude of the education deficit and the urgency of collaborative action.

Prof Adolf Mkenda, minister for education, said the event was to show the importance of collective efforts in contributing to the process of strengthening education in the country.

“Investing in education is investing in future generations, and that is why we are coming up with new policies and curricula to reflect this goal, a move that goes with the need for more funding,” he said.

Kikwete further expressed deep concern for students’ performance in essential subjects like science, noting his personal involvement in addressing this issue.

He revealed his engagement with the leadership of the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), where he is the chancellor, to evaluate the quality of lecturers, emphasising the crucial role they play as educators of future teachers.

Moreover, he unveiled a comprehensive plan to convene all university chancellors to collectively address the academic challenges hindering students’ success.

“This initiative seeks to identify the root causes of academic underperformance, particularly in subjects of vital importance like science,” he said.

As a senior education journalist privileged to attend this groundbreaking event, the passion and commitment of stakeholders were palpable.

The summit marked an unprecedented juncture where regions united to uphold the value of education, transcending financial constraints. It painted a portrait of a nation ready to marshal its collective resources for the betterment of future generations.

“This combined effort of education stakeholders from all corners of the country, augmented by GPE’s support, has showcased a resolute stride towards strengthening the educational landscape in this country. This is what we always wished for,” said Dr Thomas Jabir, an education specialist.