5 YEARS OF MAKING EDUCATION A RIGHT WITH IQEC 2025 EVENT.

The International Quality Education Conference (IQEC) 2025 was a powerful reminder that education is a fundamental right for every child. The three days conference brought together more than 300 education stakeholders from 15 countries across Africa and beyond, including government leaders, teachers, students, and development partners. This year's theme “Strengthening Systems and Investments: Advancing Domestic Resource Mobilization for Inclusive, Quality, and Sustainable Education in Africa,”

During the grand opening of IQEC 2025 the Guest of honor, Hon,Dr. Doto Mashaka Biteko and Mr. Simon Nanyaro, Board Chair TEN/MET, Pro. Carolyne Nombo, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Hon. Dennis Londo, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Community ,Ms. Martha Makala, National Coordinator TEN/MET, Belay Addise , Regional Manager Eastern and Southern Africa together with the Kinondoni District Commissioner emphasized on the Government of Tanzania’s strong commitment to advancing education. He highlighted the significant increase in the education sector budget from TZS 4.16 trillion in 2021 to TZS 7.4 trillion in the 2024/25 financial year. This investment has translated into growth in student enrollment, from 14.9 million in 2021 to 16.1 million in 2025. Nearly 20% of the national budget is now allocated annually to education, positioning Tanzania as a leading example in Africa in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals.

Dr. Biteko said;

Quote “Education is the only weapon to defeat ignorance, poverty, and disease. Tanzania and Africa must invest more in domestic resources to ensure that at least 20% of the national budget is directed to education. This step is the foundation for safeguarding the future of the current and coming generations.”

Along side more than 15 otherr panel discussions in the main hall and break out room on financing, AI and technology, inclusive education, resource mobilization. Our Depty Executive Director, Ms. Debora Maboya Debora Maboya moderated a session “From Aid to Ownership”, to discuss how African youth are moving beyond aid dependency and taking control of their own education journey. It was truly inspiring to hear Catherine R. Kimambo the Executive Director of African Child Projects speak about the work they do, where they use digital technology in schools to connect computers in rural schools, proving that education has to be inclusive.

Another remakable session was a Paper Presentation: Education, Health, Gender

Topic: Menstruation as a Barrier for Girls' Education? A Case from Tanzania and This session examined the persistent gender gap in education in Tanzania.

Although school enrollment rates for girls and boys are nearly equal, girls on average perform lower than boys in secondary school examinations, and their dropout rates rise with each additional year of schooling. Researchers, NGOs, and global organizations point to menstruation as a potential factor influencing girls’ performance and school attendance. Prof. Vibeke Vagenes from the Faculty of Education, Arts and Sports at the Western Norway University of Applied Sciences emphasized the importance of “moving the discussion from the bedroom to the living room,” stressing that girls must be equipped with knowledge and skills on sexual and reproductive health. She further underlined the need for schools to provide adequate WASH facilities, including private changing rooms for girls. Cecilie Grevstad, a PhD student at the Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, raised the question: “What do we know about girls’ menstruation experiences?”

Prof. Vibeke Vagenes from the Faculty of Education, Arts and Sports at the Western Norway University of Applied Sciences said;

Quote Menstruation impacts multiple aspects of a girl’s life ranging from access to sanitary materials and WASH facilities to privacy, while also being shaped by cultural taboos, shame, information gaps, and societal silence. These factors affect girls differently depending on their context.

As education champions, we had the chance to reflect on the deep and honest conversations that unfolded in every room in panel disscusions, paper presentions and power talks and we must say, you wouldn’t want to miss IQEC 2026! We are excited for the future of Education in Tanzania, Africa and beyond.