HakiElimu is honored to host 13 young leaders out of 100 participating in the "NextGen Leaders Program", a Youth Leadership Capacity Building initiative conducted in collaboration between ALII and HakiElimu.

During the official welcome, Mr. Godfrey Boniventura, Acting Executive Director and Head of Programs at HakiElimu, commended the young leaders for identifying and pursuing their aspirations at an early age. He encouraged them to remain steadfast in their vision, reminding them that challenges are part of the journey and should not deter them from their goals.

As part of the two-day engagement, the participants received a guided tour to learn about HakiElimu’s work and its contribution to advancing education in Tanzania. In addition, they took part in an introductory leadership training focused on the education sector, delivered by HakiElimu staff.

The training emphasized the importance of:

• Understanding their role as vital connectors across all leadership sectors;
• Developing critical thinking skills to drive innovation and improvement in education;
• Identifying key educational challenges and strategies to effectively address them.

The visit and training were held on 11th and 12th September 2025 at the Tafakari Hall, located within HakiElimu’s offices in Dar es Salaam.

HakiElimu, an independent civil society organization, seeks to advance an open, just and democratic Tanzania where all people enjoy the right to education that promotes equity, creativity and critical thinking.

We are seeking a visionary leader – a wonderful human being, steeped in values, a strategic thinker who focuses on impact, a collaborative, inclusive leader who can motivate others to achieve shared purpose, a coalition builder, and an experienced fundraiser who can get things done.

For more details on the job and application requirements, download the Job Profile directly using this link: https://tinyurl.com/4myzndt6.

Please note: The application deadline is midnight on 8th September 2025.

At HakiElimu, we believe that every child regardless of gender deserves access to quality, inclusive education. However, creating truly equitable learning environments requires more than just policies and goodwill. It demands deliberate, coordinated action especially from those who shape education systems at the grassroots level. That’s why, through our Gender and Education Transformative (GET) project, we are working closely with Local Government Authorities (LGAs) to ensure that gender equality is embedded at the core of education planning and budgeting.

Why Local Government Matters

In Tanzania, the implementation of education policies falls under the Regional Administration and Local Government (RALG). LGAs are not merely administrators rather they play a critical role in translating national gender equality commitments into tangible changes at the community level. Without their active involvement, meaningful progress remains out of reach.

Recognizing this crucial role, HakiElimu recently convened a four-day stakeholders’ engagement meeting at Nashera Hotel in Dodoma. The reflection session brought together 40 officials from eight GET project councils: Musoma, Muleba, Babati, Iramba, Korogwe, Mpwapwa, Kilosa, and Mkuranga. The objective was to strengthen the participants’ capacity to implement gender-responsive practices in education planning and service delivery.

Building Skills, Identifying Gaps, Driving Change

During the sessions, participants engaged deeply with the concept of gender equality in education. They explored key gender concepts, assessed how gender biases may be present in existing education plans, and learned practical strategies for integrating gender considerations into their daily work.

A significant part of the workshop involved reviewing the 2024/25 and 2025/26 education plans and budgets to identify areas where gender issues were overlooked. Based on these insights, participants collaboratively developed a Gender Mainstreaming Framework to guide their actions through 2027/28. This framework is not just a strategic document it is a roadmap toward more inclusive and effective governance.

Participants came from a diverse range of departments, including Planning, Community Development, Social Welfare, and Education, representing both primary and secondary school levels. This diversity promoted a comprehensive and inclusive discussion, reinforcing that achieving gender equity is a shared responsibility across all sectors.

Voices from the Field

The workshop left a lasting impression on participants; many of whom reflected on the new knowledge and perspectives they had gained.

"I have learned about gender equality because I had a deep desire for this issue to be given high priority. I will personally prioritize implementing gender equality in all of my activities." Perpetua Mgasi, Kilosa

"What I liked most was the issue of gender-responsive budgeting is something I previously wasn’t aware of, never practiced, nor even thought about. It is a very important agenda in promoting gender equality, starting from our families and extending to society as a whole." Lilian B. Kiyenze, District Social Welfare Officer, Muleba

These reflections underscore an important truth that when officials are empowered with the right tools and understanding, they become influential agents of change in their communities.

Looking Ahead

The journey towards gender transformative education is neither quick nor easy but it is one worth pursuing. Progress is being made step by step, plan by plan, and budget by budget. At HakiElimu, we are committed to walking this path alongside our local government partners, ensuring that national commitments translate into meaningful change at the grassroots level.

Our continued support through the GET project goes beyond capacity building. It is about empowering LGAs to become champions of equality, inclusion, and justice. Because real transformation does not happen in policy papers, it happens when leaders at all levels take committed action to make education work for every child.

Julai 10, 2025, HakiElimu ilipata heshima ya kipekee kutembelewa na Mwanaharakati maarufu kutoka nchini Pakistan na mshindi mwenye umri mdogo zaidi wa Tuzo ya Amani ya Nobel, Malala Yousafzai anayejulikana kwa kazi yake ya utetezi wa haki ya wasichana.

Akiwa HakiElimu, Malala ambaye aliambatana na ujumbe kutoka Malala Fund alipata wasaa wa kuongoza mjadala ulioangazia fursa na vikwazo dhidi ya mtoto wa kike ukihusisha washiriki kutoka mashirika manne yanayofadhiliwa na Malala Fund ambayo ni HakiElimu, Msichana Initiative, Hope 4 Young Girls, na Mtandao wa Elimu Tanzania (TEN/MET).

Ziara ya Malala katika ofisi za HakiElimu ni hatua muhimu ya ushirikiano unaoendelea kati ya shirika la HakiElimu na Malala Fund, ushirikiano ambao unalenga kuendeleza elimu ya wasichana nchini Tanzania. Kupitia ushirikiano huu, HakiElimu kwa sasa inatekeleza mradi ujulikanao kama Education Champion Network (ECN) mradi unaolenga kuboresha mazingira jumuishi ya ujifunzaji, na salama kwa wasichana katika shule 60 zilizoko kwenye wilaya 11 za Muleba, Mpwapwa, Kigoma, Njombe, Mbeya, Kilosa, Manispaa ya Tabora, Iramba, Musoma, Korogwe, na Moshi.

Mradi wa ECN unawanufaisha moja kwa moja wanafunzi 11,772 (wasichana 8,116 na wavulana 3,656) kupitia afua zinazolenga kuboresha matokeo ya kielimu na kuhakikisha kuwa hakuna mtoto anayeachwa nyuma katika safari ya elimu.

Kupitia mradi huu HakiElimu inafanya kazi ya utetezi wa sera na uzalishaji wa tafiti zitakazosaidia kufanya maamuzi ya kisera sambamba na hili pia unalenga kuimarisha uwezo wa mamlaka za serikali za mitaa na uongozi wa shule katika kuzuia ukatili dhidi ya watoto ikiwa ni pamoja na kupinga mila na desturi zenye madhara hasi kwa wasichana ili kuwawezesha wasichana waliotengwa kijamii kuendelea na masomo na kutimiza ndoto zao za kielimu.

On July 10, 2025, HakiElimu had the distinct honour of hosting Malala Yousafzai, the youngest-ever Nobel Peace Prize laureate and a renowned Pakistani education activist and girls' rights advocate. Leading a delegation from the Malala Fund, Malala moderated a "Learning Session" that featured panelists representing four Tanzanian bases Malala Fund grantees: HakiElimu, Msichana Initiative, Hope 4 Young Girls, and the Tanzania Education Network (TEN/MET).

Malala's visit to HakiElimu signifies a crucial step in our ongoing partnership with the Malala Fund, dedicated to advancing girls' education. Through this collaboration, HakiElimu is currently implementing the Education Champion Network (ECN) project.

This initiative strives to cultivate inclusive, safe, and high-quality learning environments for girls in 60 schools across 11 districts: Muleba, Mpwapwa, Kigoma, Njombe, Mbeya, Kilosa, Tabora Municipal, Iramba, Musoma, Korogwe, and Moshi.

The project directly benefits 11,772 students (8,116 girls and 3,656 boys) through interventions designed to improve educational outcomes and ensure that no child is left behind. The ECN initiative goes beyond direct student support, actively engaging in policy advocacy and generating evidence to inform decision-making. It also focuses on strengthening the capacity of local governments and school leadership to prevent violence against children. The project challenges harmful social norms and empowers marginalized girls to remain in school and fulfil their educational aspirations.

HakiElimu inashirikiana na Taasisi ya Benjamin Mkapa, taasisi iliyopewa dhamana na Tume ya Taifa ya Mipango kuongoza uchambuzi wa kina (Deep Dive Sessions) katika Nguzo ya Uwezo wa Watu na Maendeleo ya Jamii, ambayo inajumuisha afya, elimu na uhifadhi wa jamii.

Kupitia ushirikiano huu, HakiElimu inaongoza uchambuzi katika eneo la Elimu, likihusisha sekta mbalimbali kama vile elimu ya awali, msingi, sekondari, amali na ufundi, watu wazima, elimu ya ualimu, elimu ya juu, elimu jumuishi, na mfumo wa uongozi na utawala. Lengo la uchambuzi huu ni kutathmini hali ya sasa ya elimu nchini, kuweka vipaumbele vya maendeleo, kubaini fursa za uwekezaji, na kupendekeza maboresho yatakayoleta mageuzi katika elimu kuelekea Dira ya Taifa ya 2050.

Uchambuzi huu pia unalenga kuandaa Mantiki ya Mabadiliko (Log Frame) au Nadharia ya Mabadiliko (Theory of Change) itakayosaidia kuongoza utekelezaji wa mabadiliko haya kwa mafanikio

HakiElimu has launched the Gender and Education Transformative Project, valued at approximately 4.5 million Canadian dollars, equivalent to about 7.8 billion Tanzanian shillings. This national launch took place at Buna Secondary School, located in Korogwe District, Tanga region, bringing together various education stakeholders from Tanga and other districts also implementing the project.

The main goal of this project is "to improve water infrastructure, sanitation, and reduce sexual and gender-based violence to ensure girls continue their studies and achieve their educational dreams."

In his speech during the launch, Dr. John Kalage, the Executive Director of HakiElimu, thanked the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada for funding education projects in Tanzania. "We take pride in our long-standing partnership with the Government of Canada since 2014. The funded projects have benefited over 85,000 students in 127 program schools in 22 district councils. Among the major successes of these projects is reducing school dropout rates for girls and improving their academic performance, due to the better learning environment and essential resources," Dr. Kalage said.

The Gender and Education Transformative Project will be implemented in 16 primary schools and 24 secondary schools across 8 districts in 8 of Tanzania's 26 regions. These districts include Korogwe (Tanga), Mkuranga (Coast), Kilosa (Morogoro), Mpwapwa (Dodoma), Babati (Manyara), Iramba (Singida), Muleba (Kagera), and Musoma (Mara). The project targets 12,240 girls and 11,760 boys aged between 10 and 19. It will also provide training to 100 teachers, 140,000 community members, and 320 local government officials, while fostering a shared understanding of preventing gender-based violence and promoting gender equality in education.

In her remarks on behalf of the Canadian Government, Ms. Carol Mundle, Head of Cooperation, emphasized Canada's happiness in collaborating with HakiElimu to improve education in Tanzania. She praised Tanzania's efforts to achieve gender equality in primary and secondary education, stating, "The Government of Canada will continue to partner with HakiElimu and other stakeholders to ensure that both girls and boys receive quality education."

Ms. Mundle added that although there is still much work to be done, the Canadian government believes that, through collaboration with committed local partners like HakiElimu, local government authorities, teachers, students, and communities, they will overcome all the challenges hindering girls' and boys' education.

On his part, Dr. William Mwakilema, the District Commissioner of Korogwe, speaking on behalf of the Tanga Regional Commissioner, congratulated HakiElimu for once again earning the trust of the Government of Canada for the third consecutive phase. He stated that this is a testament to HakiElimu's effective performance, which deserves praise. "Please continue moving forward without looking back, as the government is with you in these noble efforts," Dr. Mwakilema said.

He also promised that the regional and district governments would continue to offer support to HakiElimu to ensure successful implementation and the achievement of desired outcomes. "I would like to take this opportunity to also direct local government officials and schools in areas where the project will build infrastructure and provide teaching and learning materials to maintain them with utmost care. It is also important for the public and local governments to understand the project and continue to monitor and provide support in the areas where they are needed," Dr. Mwakilema added.

HakiElimu, in collaboration with AMUCTA College in Tabora, has initiated training under the Strengthening Accountability for Inclusive Education project. The training targets 20 teachers and 6 Education Officers from the Kilosa, Mpwapwa, and Korogwe districts. The aim of the training is to equip teachers with the skills for identification and assessment of children with disabilities, as well as strengthen teachers teaching skills to handle inclusive education classrooms.

During the opening of this training, HakiElimu's Executive Director, Dr. John Kalage, stated that HakiElimu, through the Strengthening Accountability on Inclusive Education project funded by CBM (Christoffel-Blindenmission), is fully committed to empowering teachers to identify and teach students according to their needs. He also thanked the teachers and Education Officers for attending this training.

While opening the training, Upendo Rweyemamu, the Tabora Regional Education Officer, highlighted the efforts being undertaken by the government to facilitate the implementation of the National Strategy for Inclusive Education 2022-2026. These efforts include the construction of enabling infrastructure in schools in various parts of the country, as well as the preparation of special teacher to implement the strategy. This has led to an increase in the enrollment of children with special needs in various schools.

Rweyemamu stated, "The number of children who were previously hidden has now decreased, and as a result, we have seen a significant increase in the enrollment of children with special needs in schools."

Despite these achievements, the Regional Education Officer also identified several challenges. He noted that not all teachers have the skills to teach children with special needs, nor do they all have the ability or expertise to identify students or children with special needs. Therefore, he expressed his gratitude to HakiElimu for organizing the training.

She added that through this training, teachers and DEOs will understand what Inclusive Education means and how they can support identification and assessment of children with special needs and manage an inclusive class.