MWE Correspondent
A new chapter of international support has opened for Tanzania’s education sector, as key global partners reaffirm their backing for inclusive, gender-responsive learning throughout the country.
During an official visit to Kibasila Secondary School in Temeke District, former President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, who now chairs the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), announced that Tanzania is set to receive $88 million in grant funding beginning in 2026.
“This support reflects the international community’s recognition of Tanzania’s efforts to make education accessible and inclusive—especially for girls,” said Kikwete.
Since joining GPE in 2013, Tanzania has already received more than $344 million, helping transform the country’s basic education system. These funds have contributed to the construction of nearly 3,000 classrooms, over 7,600 toilets, 64 teachers’ houses, 18 new schools, and 252 teacher resource centres. They’ve also funded the supply of over 36 million textbooks, addressing the critical need for learning materials.
The upcoming $88 million grant will focus on strengthening teaching quality, equity in access, and student performance monitoring. Mr. Kikwete emphasized that this was only the beginning of a renewed long-term commitment.
“We are now preparing for the next phase of the program starting in 2026. This support won’t stop—in fact, it will only grow stronger as long as Tanzania keeps pushing forward,” he said.
To secure GPE funding, countries must present a credible national education plan that promotes efficiency, equity, and outcomes-driven learning. Tanzania’s progress in these areas, especially in empowering girls through education, has drawn widespread acclaim.
Among the strongest advocates for girls’ education is the Malala Fund, founded by Malala Yousafzai, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate. Earlier this month, Malala visited Kongwa District in the Dodoma Region to celebrate her birthday with students and discuss ongoing challenges, such as child marriage, teenage pregnancy, and school dropouts among girls.
The Malala Fund has invested more than $3.5 million in Tanzania since 2022 and pledged an additional $1 million to support local initiatives aimed at helping girls return to school—particularly those who have been forced out due to pregnancy. In Tanzania, returning to school after childbirth remains a significant barrier, despite recent policy shifts.
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Partnering with grassroots groups like the Msichana Initiative, Malala is working to dismantle social stigma and create support systems for young mothers and girls at risk of leaving school.
“Girls are not the problem—lack of support is,” Malala said during her visit. “We must change the narrative around pregnant students and guarantee their right to education.”
Despite the strides, Tanzania’s education system continues to face deep-rooted challenges—large class sizes, regional inequalities, a shortage of trained teachers, and uneven learning outcomes. The upcoming GPE funding aims to tackle these through targeted interventions, improved teacher deployment, and expanded teacher training programs.
Tanzania’s journey toward educational transformation is far from over—but with renewed backing from global partners like GPE and the Malala Fund, the future of learning looks more hopeful for millions of children, especially girls.
