The rising trend of pupils missing final exams

Dar es Salaam. The National Examination Council of Tanzania (Necta) released the Standard 7 results on Thursday, November 23, revealing a disturbing trend alongside other glaring issues such as poor performance in Mathematics.

The number of pupils skipping their final exams is on the rise, despite the critical role these exams play in their educational journey.

Latest statistics indicate that 40,901 pupils failed to sit for their Primary leaving examinations held in September. The reasons for their absence are as diverse as the numbers themselves.

A survey conducted by The Citizen over the past five years (2019-2023) found that a staggering 126, 385 pupils who had registered for the final exams were absent on the final day. This number has been steadily increasing each year.

In 2019, 13,754 pupils missed the exams, while in 2020, the number jumped to 14,364 absentees. The following year in 2021, the number nearly doubled to 24,061, and in 2022, it soared even higher to 33,305.

This alarming trend raises concerns about the value pupils and parents place on primary education, according to Mr. Ochola Wayoga, the National Coordinator of Tanzania Education Network (TEN).

"We must implement early warning systems to identify the whereabouts of these children," he emphasized.

Mr. Wayoga pointed out that areas near mines, borders, and lakes are particularly affected by this issue due to low awareness of education. Parents in these areas often prioritize child labor and early marriages over education.

"These areas lack a conducive learning environment, discouraging students from focusing on their studies and pushing them towards harmful lifestyles," he explained.

He urged the government to closely monitor these children, determine their whereabouts and activities, and hold accountable those who persuade them to skip exams and leave the education system.

Additionally, he called for increased involvement of immigration officers to curb child labor at border crossings and for a comprehensive plan to reintegrate these children into the education system.

Mr. Wayoga also stressed the importance of improving the learning environment to attract children to schools.

Similarly, Dr. Joviter Katabaro, a lecturer at the Catholic University College of Mbeya (CUCoM), attributed the rising absenteeism to the increasing illiteracy rate.

He echoed Mr. Wayoga's concerns about the impact of an unfavorable learning environment, leading pupils to question the value of secondary education.

"They skip the exams to avoid facing the same educational challenges they encountered in primary school," Dr. Katabaro explained.

He noted that some pupils perceive secondary education as a waste of time, observing their educated predecessors struggling to find employment after graduation.

"They view alternative means of earning a living as a better option than pursuing education," he remarked.

Dr. Shadidu Ndossa, a lecturer at St John's University, expressed concern about the lack of basic knowledge among these pupils regarding their security, citizenship, nutrition, and other fundamental aspects of their lives and the nation.

"Investigations are needed to determine the whereabouts of these students. Parents and guardians must be held accountable for providing information about their children's whereabouts and activities," he emphasized.

Dr. Ndossa suspected that parents and guardians might be complicit in sabotaging their children's education, prioritizing wealth-generating activities over their children's academic pursuits.

Taken aback by the surge in exam absences, the Commissioner of Education, Dr. Lyabwene Mtahabwa, pledged to conduct thorough research to identify the underlying causes and implement measures to address the issue.

The rising trend of pupils skipping final exams in Tanzania is a serious matter that demands urgent attention from the government, parents, and educators.