By Dativa Mahanyu.Wed May 06 2026
What happens when education moves beyond the classroom and into real conversations with schools, parents, and community leaders? GAWE 2026 gives a glimpse through school visits, open dialogues. From students sharing their experiences to parents and leaders reflecting together, something important was clearly taking shape.
By Dativa MahanyuThu Apr 16 2026
Many girls,start of menstruation period that comes with questions, confusion, and silence. But access to the right information can change everything. Oky Tanzania period tracking App is helping girls understand their bodies, break the stigma around periods, and approach menstruation with confidence and dignity. Through simple, trusted, and girl-friendly information, the app is turning what was once a source of fear into a source of knowledge, empowerment, and self-confidence for girls in Tanzania and beyond.
By Dativa MahanyuThu Apr 16 2026
As the number of secondary school dropouts continues to rise in Tanzania, We are stepping in to help change the story. Through our Education Scholarship Program at Mongola Secondary School in Morogoro, we are ensuring that vulnerable students are not forced to abandon their education because of poverty. With the support of Kipaji Foundation, the program currently supports 30 students, while more than 100 students have already been supported over the years, with many advancing to higher levels of education and some reaching university. The initiative continues to demonstrate that when young people are given the opportunity and the right support, education becomes a powerful pathway to hope, opportunity, and a brighter future.
By Dativa MahanyuThu Apr 16 2026
Malala Yousafzai joined our girls in a special gathering at Nias Nyalanda Arts Studios in collaboration with Msichana Initiative. The event brought together girls from Kijitonyama Secondary School for a powerful day of creativity, dialogue, and inspiration. Through a collaborative art piece and meaningful conversations, the girls expressed stories of African girls’ voices, strength, leadership, and the transformative power of education turning art into a symbol of empowerment and possibility.
By Dativa MahanyuThu Apr 16 2026
The selection of Tai Tanzania by HundrED as a global education innovation marks a significant milestone for the organisation and for Tanzania’s creative education sector. Chosen among hundreds of initiatives worldwide, Tai’s work in using storytelling, animation, and digital media to advance inclusive education has been recognised for its creativity, impact, and potential to scale. This recognition places Tai within a global community of leading education innovators, strengthening its visibility and opening new opportunities for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and growth as it continues to empower young people through transformative learning experiences.
By Dativa MahanyuThu Mar 12 2026
By Dativa MahanyuThu Mar 12 2026
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Wed May 06 2026
Among the many challenges facing Songwe Region such as early marriages, child labor, and high rates of school dropouts, teenage pregnancy remains one of the most significant barriers to education. It continues to contribute heavily to school dropout rates, with approximately 45% of girls aged 15–19 having begun childbearing. This is the highest rate in Tanzania and nearly double the national average of about 22%, highlighting the urgent need for targeted interventions to support young people in realizing their full potential.
It is within this context that the Global Action Week for Education (GAWE) 2026 organized by Tanzania Education Network (TEN/MET) brought together stakeholders, communities, and leaders to confront these realities and drive meaningful change.
The week officially opened at Chiwanda Grounds in Momba District, officiated by Hon. Atupele Mwambene, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Education under TAMISEMI. In his address, he highlighted the progress made in expanding access to education, including a 106% student enrollment rate in Songwe Region and the construction of over 600 classrooms. These milestones reflect the government’s strong commitment to education as a key pillar of national development, aligned with the Tanzania Development Vision 2050.
Yet, beyond the numbers, his message emphasized a critical truth that access alone is not enough. Ensuring quality, safety, and inclusivity in education requires collective effort. GAWE created a space where stakeholders could move beyond reporting progress to actively engaging with the realities faced by learners on the ground.
What is the role of a parent in a Chid's Education?
While the opening ceremony set the tone, the most powerful insights emerged from direct engagement with communities. School visits were conducted at Songwe Girls Secondary School, Msiya Primary School, and Ndalambo Primary School each revealing a different dimension of the education experience in Songwe. Oky Tanzania period tracking app was one of the initiatives that caught the attention of many students in exploring exciting features that will support them in their menstrual hygiene jounery.
At Songwe Girls Secondary School, students openly shared challenges that affect their ability to learn. These included a shortage of dormitories, forcing some students to sleep in classrooms, as well as limited school security. Teenage pregnancy was highlighted as a major concern, continuing to disrupt girls’ education.
Meanwhile, Msiya Primary School, located approximately 130 kilometers from Chiwanda, engagement with 24 parents revealed low levels of parental involvement in children’s education. Many parents expressed that education is not consistently prioritized, and there was limited awareness of opportunities available for children with disabilities. Some children remain at home not due to lack of willingness, but because families are unsure how to support them within the education system.
On the other hand at Ndalambo Primary School, which supports inclusive education, discussions with 180 parents highlighted a significant gap in communication around menstrual health and hygiene. Only a few parents reported discussing these topics with their children, reflecting cultural barriers that continue to affect girls’ attendance and confidence in school.
A key highlight of GAWE 2026 was the engagement between stakeholders and the Songwe Regional Commissioner, Hon. Jabiri Omari Makame. This meeting provided a critical opportunity to connect community experiences with regional leadership and explore practical solutions.
During the discussion, Tai shared its work in empowering young people through sexual and reproductive health education, life skills, and digital literacy. A particular focus was placed on the expansion of Oky Tanzania, a digital platform that provides girls with accurate and accessible menstrual health information.
The Regional Commissioner emphasized that while the government continues to invest in education, partnerships with stakeholders are essential to addressing persistent challenges. He welcomed collaboration and invited organizations to invest in Songwe, assuring them of full support from regional leadership.
GAWE 2026 concluded with a renewed sense of purpose during the closing ceremony officiated by Dr. Ephrahim Simbeye, Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. His remarks highlighted the importance of sustained collaboration and the need to strengthen education systems through both policy and investment.
A key milestone was the contribution of TZS 53 million toward improving learning and teaching infrastructure in three schools in Momba District. This investment represents a tangible step toward creating safer and more conducive learning environments for students.
Dr. Simbeye also emphasized the importance of sustainable financing in education, particularly in the face of declining development aid. He called for stronger domestic resource mobilization and continued partnerships with stakeholders to ensure that every child has access to quality education.
For Tai, participating in GAWE 2026 was more than representation it was an opportunity to connect our work directly with the realities on the ground and the policies shaping education in Tanzania. The engagement allowed us to amplify the voices of young people, especially girls, whose experiences often go unheard in decision-making spaces. Through school visits, community dialogues, and high-level meetings, we were able to better understand the gaps in access to information, particularly around sexual and reproductive health, and explore how solutions like Oky Tanzania can respond to these challenges.
Equally important, GAWE created a platform for collaboration bringing together government leaders, partners, and organizations working toward a shared goal. It strengthened our commitment to designing solutions that are not only innovative, but also inclusive and grounded in lived experiences.
