According to UNICEF, Tanzania has significantly expanded school enrolment in recent years, especially among girls. However, 3.2 million children aged 7–17 are out of school, of which 1.2 million have never attended. The net secondary enrolment rate is only 27%. Rural and poor girls are the most affected, with higher dropout rates from age 12 onwards due to inadequate wash facilities, menstruation, and child marriage, although a new policy for school re-entry is expected to help.
On 13th July, we co-hosted an event titled “Advancing Girls’ Education in Tanzania” and we were honoured to have the Nobel Peace Laureate Malala Yousafzai, the Founder of Malala Fund. Our settlor and chairman of JMKF, H.E. Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, and Hon. Prof. Adolf Mkenda, the Minister of Education, Science and Technology.
The event gathered organizations that deal with education and girl empowerment, such as Msichana Initiative and Okoa New Generation, government officials, and students from Kisutu High School. The main agenda discussed at the event was how to empower young girls’ education and what should be done to make sure they achieve their dreams without obstacles.
H.E. Hon. Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete expressed his concerns and urged for a call to protect the education budget amid the global crisis and called out for every boy and girl, every child with a disability, and those in the most remote communities to have access to quality education.
He said, “While education is the primary responsibility of governments, true change can only happen when those closest to the classroom are engaged at every step. I know that many of your organizations are facing funding cuts. Too often, in times of global uncertainty, education is the first thing to be de-prioritized, but if we are to face the challenges ahead with hope, education must come first.”
Hon. Prof. Adolf Mkenda, the Minister of Education, Science and Technology, emphasized that, “When you educate a girl, you educate the entire society.” His call for greater investment in girls’ education echoed our mission, which is to provide skills for youths and develop them.
When Malala Yousafzai took the stage, she emphasized more on the importance of educating girls. “Funding girls’ education is not a favour—it’s a smart investment and a basic human right,” Malala continued. “We must fund schools, teachers, and support systems that allow every girl to thrive.”
Meanwhile, Malala Yousafzai took time to ask the students of Kisutu High School about what their dreams were and what they wanted to achieve.
Stella Juba Mangia, a Form Six student taking sciences, said, “My future dream is to be a doctor, but also I want to be a changemaker, especially to girls with disabilities who are segregated even by their parents from getting an education.”
Meanwhile, Nancy Henry Kisaka, a Form Six student taking arts, stated, “I want to be a famous businesswoman not only in Tanzania, but even abroad.”
Both Malala Yousafzai and H.E. Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete called for Tanzania to remain steadfast in its national commitments, for donors to keep funding education despite global uncertainties, and for communities to play a greater role in supporting girls’ return to school and learning outcomes.
Every girl has a right to education, and we must make sure we join the fight for the greater purpose.
