The Tanzanian government has launched a major education infrastructure initiative to construct 1,090 advanced-level secondary school classrooms, alongside dormitories and sanitation facilities, to improve access to quality education across mainland Tanzania.
The project, unveiled at Kibaigwa Girls Secondary School in Dodoma, is being implemented through a partnership between the government and Barrick Twiga Minerals under the Barrick-Twiga Future Forward Education Programme.
Launching the initiative, the Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office for Regional Administration and Local Government (PMO-RALG), Prof. Riziki Shemdoe, said the project will provide 1,090 classrooms capable of accommodating 54,500 students.
He added that the programme will also construct 270 dormitories with capacity for 21,600 students and 1,640 toilet cubicles to serve approximately 49,200 students in local government authorities across mainland Tanzania.
According to Prof. Shemdoe, the investment demonstrates the government’s commitment to expanding access to advanced-level secondary education by strengthening learning infrastructure nationwide.
Barrick Tanzania Country Manager, Dr. Melkiory Ngido, said the initiative reflects the company’s commitment to supporting Tanzania’s national development through strategic investments in education.
He explained that the programme is being implemented in more than 64 schools across the country and includes the construction of classrooms, fully furnished dormitories, modern sanitation facilities and school furniture to improve learning conditions and expand enrolment capacity for more than 45,000 students.
Deputy Permanent Secretary in PMO-RALG, Atupele Mwambene, revealed that the project originated from discussions between President Samia Suluhu Hassan and Barrick Gold Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer, Mark Bristow, in 2023.
He said both leaders agreed that investments from Tanzania’s mining sector should be channelled towards strengthening the country’s education system through improved school infrastructure.
The initiative is expected to enhance learning environments and create more opportunities for students transitioning to advanced-level secondary education across Tanzania.
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.