“One of the challenges facing pupils in primary and secondary schools in mining areas is truancy, because these students see it as better to go and do casual labor in small-scale mines where daily pay ranges between 15,000 and 30,000 Tanzanian shillings. What our Pakinyigoti Primary School does is to first ensure that the school environment is good, while students receive all essential services such as lunch. In the morning they are given porridge, and at midday they eat kande (a traditional meal).”
These were remarks by the Head Teacher of Pakinyigoti Primary School, Mr. Nyatito Nyatito, from Ikoma Ward in Serengeti District, Mara Region, during a special discussion with Mara Regional Education Officers at the Mara Regional Commissioner’s Office in early February 2, 2026.
“Our school has 518 pupils, and in the 2025 Standard Seven examination results, out of a class of 42 pupils, 39 passed and were assigned to secondary schools in various parts of Tanzania. This represents a pass rate of 92.8 percent.”
Mr. Nyatito added that a key strength is the good cooperation among teachers, parents, and even leaders of companies with various projects in the area, including mining companies and the neighboring national park. Other challenges, such as dangerous wild animals, are also addressed in a timely manner. Looking at the issue of education in Mara Region more broadly, Mr. Kinyemi Sepeku Mgaza, an Academic Officer responsible for Standard Four, said that the availability of lunch is very important for students—not only in Standard Four but at all levels of education.
“You know, even at university, if you are studying and you do not get proper meals on a regular basis, you cannot perform well academically. Therefore, lunch is very important.”
On his part, Mr. Haidi Jerome Sinene, the Mara Regional Academic Officer responsible for Form Two, said:
“It is true, I have visited several schools including Pakinyigoti Primary School. I know its environment well; they are making an effort, and I advise other schools to learn from them.”
Concluding the discussion, the Mara Regional Secondary Education Officer responsible for Form Four and Form Six, Mr. Ayubu Hezron Mbilinyi, touched on students who did not meet the required pass mark at Form Two but whom the Government has directed to continue with their studies. He said:
“The goal is to give students a chance to continue with their studies, not to lower academic standards. When they reach Form Three, they will be given more time to study through remedial classes. Importantly, using the syllabus of what they studied in the previous year, 2025, if they were to repeat, would be a burden because a new syllabus is currently in use. Sending them back to memorize old content would only burden them further and cause more students to drop out. For example, a student coded DFG is required to pass by obtaining three D grades. This is the criterion; if the student has obtained two D grades, remedial classes will help him or her reach this requirement.”
While these developments are taking place here in Mara Region, the weather in Musoma Municipality is 23 degrees Celsius, humidity is 20 percent, the chance of rain is 81 percent, and wind speed is 10 km per hour.
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Mwanakwetu, are you there?
“The Education Environment Near Mining Areas Must Be Improved.”
I wish you a good day.
makwadeladius@gmail.com
0717649257
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