Advocacy and Communication Professional

Benedicta Mrema is a dynamic and results-driven Advocacy and Communication Professional with a strong background in public relations, media engagement, and strategic communication. With a solid academic foundation, holding a Bachelor's degree in Public Relations and Advertising and a Master's degree in Mass Communication. She brings both technical expertise and strategic insight into driving communication for social impact.

Currently serving as the Acting Manager – Media Engagement and Advocacy, Benedicta leads strategic initiatives to strengthen media relations, amplify advocacy efforts, and promote organizational visibility across multiple platforms. She is highly skilled in developing multi-channel communication strategies, fostering stakeholder engagement, and managing campaigns that influence public policy and social behavior.

Passionate about development communication and social change, Benedicta combines creativity, strategic thinking, and a strong commitment to impact-driven storytelling. Beyond professional competencies, Benedicta is deeply passionate about gender equality in education, with a strong commitment to championing equal learning opportunities for girls, especially those from marginalized and underserved communities. She also advocates for child protection and safeguarding, ensuring that every child learns in a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment.

With a blend of creativity, empathy, and strategic thinking, Benedicta leverages the power of communication to inspire change, challenge harmful norms, and promote inclusive education and development.

Education Technical Advisor

Dr. Wilberforce Meena currently serves as the Education Technical Advisor at HakiElimu, bringing with him extensive experience in the education sector as a teacher educator, lecturer, and curriculum developer. He has played a central role in national dialogues addressing key challenges and opportunities within Tanzania’s education system, with a focus on curriculum relevance, teacher competency, community engagement, and student learning outcomes. Dr. Meena is a pioneer of the School Readiness Programme (SRP), an initiative designed to support children who lack access to pre-primary education, as well as efforts to improve Urban Education. He has also been a strong advocate for the Action Learning Approach, which promotes practical, reflective professional development for teachers.

He represents HakiElimu in several national initiatives, including the National Multi-Sectoral Early Childhood Development Programme (NMECDP), where he contributes to efforts aimed at strengthening early childhood development across the country. Additionally, he is an active member of the Teacher Development and Support (TDS) Cluster under the Regional Education Learning Initiative (RELI), promoting collaborative learning and evidence-based practices in teacher development.

Dr. Meena has led numerous research initiatives, including a critical analysis of the Education and Training Policy (ETP) 2014, which informed the widely recognized publication ‘‘The Education We Want’’. He also led a deep-dive study on education designed to inform the Long-Term Perspective Plan (LTPP), a strategic initiative supporting the realization of Tanzania Development Vision 2050.

In addition to his advisory and research roles, Dr. Meena has co-edited several influential publications, including Basic Education Alignment for an Industrial Economy in Tanzania and Lugha ya Kufundishia: Kikwazo cha Usawa Katika Kujifunza na Upimaji Tanzania (Language of Instruction: A Barrier to Equity in Learning and Assessment in Tanzania), underscoring his commitment to evidence-based reform and inclusive, equitable education.