Tanzania to pursue legal action against parents and leaders hiding children with disabilities

Arusha. Tanzania has announced plans to take legal action against parents and guardians who deny children with disabilities their right to education by hiding them.

The government also intends to discipline local leaders who obstruct efforts to educate students with special needs.

The announcement was made by the Minister of State in the President's Office (Regional Administration and Local Government Authorities), Mohamed Mchengerwa, during the 30th anniversary celebration of inclusive education at Patandi Secondary School in Arumeru District, Arusha Region.

Mchengerwa urged Regional and District Commissioners to use police officers and local reporting systems to identify and address cases where parents or guardians hide children with disabilities, thus denying them access to education.

“The Government has implemented policies, strategies, and laws to ensure education for all students, including those with disabilities. However, some still believe that children with disabilities do not deserve education,” Mchengerwa said.

He added, “I am instructing you to deploy individuals to monitor our communities and identify those who hide these children so that immediate legal action can be taken.”

Mchengerwa highlighted improvements in infrastructure and awareness campaigns that have led to an increase in the registration of students with disabilities.

He noted that the number of students with disabilities in educational institutions has risen to 78,429 in 2024, up from 28,482 in 2020.

The government has allocated 6,088 schools to accommodate these students, with 309 of them equipped with dormitories.

In addition, the government has established two special model schools, 172 dormitories, 44 classrooms, and 132 toilet facilities specifically for primary school students with special needs.

Mchengerwa also revealed that Sh8.3 billion has been allocated for the purchase and distribution of special equipment and aids.

Dr Magreth Matonya, Director of Special Education at the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology, highlighted that the 30th anniversary marks the beginning of inclusive education implementation in Tanzania following the international agreement signed in 1994.

“This celebration aims to showcase opportunities for students with special needs, highlight achievements, raise awareness among parents who hide their children, and assess our progress,” Dr Matonya explained.

She emphasized that inclusive education integrates students with special needs with their peers to foster mutual learning and support.

Dr Matonya also noted a focus on teaching technology to students to keep pace with the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which will impact their future employment opportunities.

Janet Joshua, a parent with a child at Patandi Secondary School, shared that many guardians hide children with disabilities due to stigma from relatives and the community, who view having a child with a disability as a sign of misfortune for the family.