Tanzanian tradition 'prevents education'

15/09/2009

Many Maasai traditions could be undermining the education of Tanzanian's young citizens, claims a key business figure.

The Arusha Times reports that leading businessman Gunwat Sachdev has raised concerns that the Maasai community may be denying many children access to education and school because they are still focusing on traditional practices.

Mr Sachdev, speaking at the Moita Bwawani primary school in the Monduli district, stressed that the school had a high drop-out rate and this could be linked to the Maasi tradition of raising their children as animal-keepers and the ongoing focus on arranging school-age marriages for daughters.

The businessman explained that it was crucial to improve long-term school attendance figures to help the country develop its science and technology skills and called for parents and elders to do more to increase children's educational rights.

Students at Tanzania schools follow a bilingual policy that involves learning both Kiswahili and English.

Written by Dan Parr.VSO Canada