Relocation to Msomera brings new hope to school children

Dar es Salaam. School-going children from families that have relocated from the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) to Msomera village in the Tanga Region have expressed their delight at walking shorter distances to attend school.

Speaking to The Citizen recently, they said that while living in the NCA, they had to walk long distances through areas inhabited by wild animals, which posed significant risks to their safety.

Navigating through morning mist and fog was another serious challenge that derailed their educational journey.

Ngorongoro is famous for its lions, elephants, cheetahs, zebras, and black rhinos and offers spectacular views from the crater rim over the crater floor, making it one of Africa's Seven Natural Wonders.

Due to overpopulation and rising immigration to the crater by herders, the government started relocating people from the crater to Msomera Village, Handeni District, Tanga Region, to protect the delicate nature of the key ecosystem and preserve its biodiversity.

At Msomera, pupils and students are admitted to Msomera Primary School and Samia Suluhu Hassan Secondary School, respectively.

Enrolled at Samia Suluhu Hassan Secondary School, Soiti Lemurwa recalls the constant fear of wild animals that often disrupted his concentration on studies, sometimes forcing him to abandon school over safety concerns.

"The relentless presence of wild animals made it challenging for us to go to school. Our safety took precedence above all else, and now, here in Msomera, we can focus on our education in a serene environment," he said.

His colleague, Mathew Saruni, added that school life in Ngorongoro presented numerous challenges. He confessed that he had nearly lost hope due to the increased presence of fierce animals like lions and leopards.

"My parents' decision to relocate to Msomera village has transformed my educational journey. The situation was worse as we were exposed to safety risks when walking to and from school," she underscored.

A pupil at Msomera Primary School, Elizabeth Napoiky, also said the new settlement offers a conducive learning environment for the youngsters.

Samia Suluhu Hassan Secondary School headmaster Charles Andrea commended the government for its remarkable investment in educational facilities in the village.

He said Samia Suluhu Hassan Secondary School is among the best secondary schools in the country, comprising modern facilities, competent teachers and enough learning resources.

“The school is equipped with computers connected to the internet, providing pupils with access to online learning materials,” he said.

NCAA acting public relations manager, Hamis Dambaya, said the decision to relocate freed the people from movement restrictions and wildlife threats.

Relocation was meant to serve the best interests of citizens.

Mr Dambaya cautioned those who have relocated to be wary of misleading messages, particularly from certain politicians and activists opposed to the move.

"NCAA continues to educate Ngorongoro villagers registering for voluntary relocation by providing substantial incentives to every relocating household," he said.

Ngorongoro was declared a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) in 1979.

By 2017, data from the authority indicated that the number of people living in the protected area had increased to 110,000, with 800,000 livestock, threatening the fragile biodiversity balance of the ecosystem.