Youth Education and the Government’s Responsibility

 

Adeladius Makwega – Mbagala

 

“Makwega, the issue of the Higher Education Students’ Loans Board is a serious problem for our children. Furthermore, the practice of assigning students who have completed Form Four to colleges of intermediate education without providing them with access to loans is killing the dreams of our young people. If these young people could not afford contributions even when basic education was free, how will they manage college fees of up to TZS 1.5 million?”

 

This is a message received by Mwanakwetu from a stakeholder in the education sector raising concerns about this situation.

 

So, Minister for Education, Professor Adolf Mkenda, and Permanent Secretary Caroline Nondo, what answers do you have to issues such as these?

Everyone recognises the importance of programmes such as MMES and MEMKWA, as well as the efforts made by the Government to support young people under those programmes. But what preparations have we made to support this current group?

 

The fundamental issue is not simply to speak as though one is responding to a concern. The real issue is that, before sending these students to intermediate colleges—many of whom come from economically disadvantaged families—the Government should have put in place mechanisms to ensure that they have the basic support necessary to continue with their studies.

 

Some people are careless in their thinking and assume that their children are not part of this group simply because they performed well academically. This is the wrong attitude. Let me point out something they may not have considered.

“The group being neglected today is the very group that will live alongside and have children with your own children tomorrow, because no human being is perfect.”

You may provide your child with a good education, but you cannot guarantee every aspect of their future. You may help them find a partner whom you prefer, but you cannot determine whom they will eventually meet and build a life with. They may very well meet someone from this struggling group we are neglecting today.

 

That is why Mwanakwetu argues that the Minister and Permanent Secretary responsible for Education are not adequately fulfilling their responsibilities in addressing this matter with the seriousness it deserves.

 

The education of our children is an issue that requires education leaders to act as though the country is facing a national emergency. Failure to pay attention to what may appear to be a small issue today could create a major crisis for our nation tomorrow.

 

For example, when we lose young people who have the energy, potential and ability to build the nation, we are losing an important part of our national workforce.

 

We must recognise that the number of young people in Tanzania, according to the 2022 Population and Housing Census, should serve as a warning bell. Tanzania had 20,612,566 young people aged 15–35, representing 34.4% of the country's population.

 

Of these, 9,827,426 were male, representing 16.4%, while 10,785,140 were female, representing 18%. These figures clearly demonstrate the enormous size of this population group and its significant contribution to the nation's workforce.

I also ask my readers to remember that, according to the same 2022 census, children aged 0–14 numbered 26,399,985, representing approximately 43% of Tanzania's total population.

 

When we combine the number of children and young people, we arrive at a very large population group—more than 47 million people. This is a group that the nation simply cannot afford to ignore.

 

If we genuinely care about our children and young people, we must ask ourselves: Can courses offered by intermediate colleges be provided free of charge or at an affordable cost to the large number of young people who cannot afford the cost of education?

 

For example, vocational and technical training through institutions such as VETA can play an important role in equipping young people with practical skills that enable them to become self-employed and participate fully in the national economy.

 

Providing such training either free of charge or at an affordable cost to young people in need would be a clear demonstration that we value these Tanzanians and recognise their contribution to Tanzania's present and future.

 

This group will also grow, establish families and have children. What will they tell their children about how we treated them today?

 

There is only one fundamental question:

How will we address the challenges facing a population of more than 47 million children and young people?

 

We cannot safely move forward as a nation if we fail to take action now.

 

To Tanzania's scholars and professionals entrusted with responsibility for managing various sectors, particularly education: stop being passive and start taking action. If you offer advice that is in the national interest but those in authority refuse to accept it, you have a responsibility to stand by your position and explain it publicly.

 

And if circumstances eventually force you to resign, then tell the public clearly:

 

“I have resigned for these reasons.”

We cannot continue to have people resign while everything remains unchanged. The real problem is remaining silent when things are not moving forward.

 

For today, that is enough.

 

Mwanakwetu, are you there? Remember.

“Youth Education and the Government’s Responsibility.”

I wish you a good day.

makwadeladius@gmail.com
0717 649 257