Number of primary school drop outs in Tanzania is a concern

Concern is growing over the number of primary school pupils in Tanzania who drop out of school.

In one single region, one cohort of 42,883 pupils progressing through the seven years of primary school lost almost 5,500 members, with 1,351 disappearing in the final year.

The problem of pupils dropping out of primary school is a national one. Cultural reasons are the explanation for many girls missing out on education, as early marriage and the belief that women should stay at home to care for children is prevalent, and boys are often enlisted straight from the classroom for military-style duties. In addition, those pupils in rural areas struggle to attend school regularly where long distances and other lifestyle factors are involved.

Significant numbers of pupils also drop out of education before the start of secondary school.

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07/01/12