Truancy is on the rise, largely driven by the misguided attitudes of many parents toward the value of education. Photo: Courtesy
By Adonis Byemelwa
In Shinyanga, it’s not uncommon to see young school-aged children herding cattle during school hours, seemingly without a care. This troubling sight raises concerns as the government strives to combat child labor and ensure that all children receive a quality education. Yet, truancy remains a significant challenge in this region.
According to Tanzania's official school calendar, a primary school student is expected to attend classes for approximately 194 to 200 days a year. This schedule typically consists of 39 to 40 weeks of instruction, with five school days each week.
However, the actual number of school days can vary slightly due to public holidays, special school activities, and other events that may disrupt the calendar. For children missing these days, the lost educational opportunities are significant, impacting their preparation for the future.
Truancy is on the rise, largely driven by the misguided attitudes of many parents toward the value of education. Despite primary education being free, some parents fail to see its importance and instead compel their children to herd cattle or work in the fields.
Recently, students at Nyida Primary School in Shinyanga have urged the government to take stringent action against parents who prevent their children from attending school. Speaking to the author, these students expressed their frustration and insisted that the government must act decisively. Godfrey Mwankalage, a student at Nyida Primary School, said, "We see our peers not coming to school because their parents send them to farm or herd cattle. We urge the government to do something."
Former assistant head teacher at Nyida Primary School, Julius Mwakalebela, explained that these children face significant educational challenges due to the burden of household chores prioritized by their parents. "When children come to school just once, they are told to go herd cattle or work on the farm, which increases truancy," Mwakalebela noted.
This issue of truancy is not new. On August 23, 2018, Shinyanga was identified as one of the regions with the highest truancy rates among students. Charles Francis Kabeho, the leader of that year’s Uhuru Torch race, presented alarming statistics on poor student attendance. "In terms of student attendance at school, the government has found four regions leading in truancy. Shinyanga has an extreme truancy rate of 6.3%," Kabeho revealed.
Educational leaders in Shinyanga have long struggled with this problem. Martin Kingu, a former Education Officer for Nyida Ward, confirmed the issue's persistence in some schools, noting that truancy remains a challenge in several institutions.
In 2016, the Development Committee of Sabasabini Ward, Ushetu District Council, decided to fine parents Sh10,000 if their children were habitual truants. This measure was part of the effort to combat the problem.
Emmanuel Makashi, the former chairman of that committee, said, "We have found that truancy among students is particularly high during harvest seasons when many children accompany wedding parties or work in the fields." The primary reason for truancy is that some parents view attending school as a waste of time, especially since the education is free.
Juma Stereo, a parent whose children are habitual truants, stated, "I don't see the point of children attending school every day. Even those who studied hard are now employed in my shop after failing to find other jobs." His words reflect a common sentiment among some parents who dismiss the value of education, believing it better for their children to learn manual labor, such as grinding grain or serving customers in shops, rather than sitting in a classroom.
This indifference is echoed by other parents, like Daudi Masunga and Esther Makoye. Masunga, a father of two children who are also truants, said, "I don't see any problem with my children not attending school. It's more important for them to do household chores and learn how to earn money than to waste time in school."
Makoye added, "My children learn more at home than in school. I don't see the benefit of education if it doesn't lead to employment. Look at these bodaboda riders, many of whom have completed secondary education. They have applied for various positions, including in the military and teaching, but none have been successful. They are just here as if they never attended school."
On the other hand, Ushetu District Council’s Secondary Education Officer, Melkyada Gaka, pointed out that some students are employed on tobacco farms or in domestic work, which contributes to their frequent absenteeism. "Many students run off to work in the mines or cities to find odd jobs, while others are hired as laborers," Gaka explained.
Another contributing factor to truancy is the long distance from home to school. Many students become discouraged by the daily trek, leading to fatigue and a lack of motivation to attend school. This issue was highlighted by Idahina Ward Councillor Yuda Lunyalula, who mentioned that some parents have requested school transfers for their children, but instead, they marry them off to secure dowries.
Parents who value education have gone so far as to buy bicycles for their children to cope with the long distances, while dust makes it difficult for these students, especially girls, to maintain cleanliness.
"Every day, I have to soak my school uniform when I get home, and at school, we're not allowed to bring khangas... Father... it's so dusty on the way, with sand trucks passing from our place in Mwagala to Ibadakuli, but we've gotten used to it... although riding a bicycle during the rainy season is also a struggle. My parents can't afford to send me to a private school where I could board," said Modesta Nghumbu, a student.
Truancy is on the rise, largely driven by the misguided attitudes of many parents toward the value of education. Photo: Courtesy
Addressing this issue requires a concerted effort from the government, parents, and teachers. One way to tackle the problem is by launching a campaign to educate parents about the value of education for their children. While the government should continue to provide free education, it should also enforce strict penalties for parents who fail to send their children to school.
It's also crucial to strengthen the relationship between parents and teachers to ensure that children receive a quality education. Teachers should avoid harsh punishments that may discourage students from attending classes. Additionally, the government should offer incentives for children who attend school regularly, such as free school supplies or transportation for those who live far from school.
The government should also revisit the employment process to ensure that education provides practical skills that align with the job market. The Executive Secretary of the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA), Professor Gaspard Banyankimbona, noted that universities are producing a workforce with only theoretical knowledge, and lacking practical skills, which has led to many young people struggling to find jobs after completing their studies.
In Africa, countries like Nigeria have successfully addressed the challenge of school truancy using various strategies. Nigeria, for example, introduced a special program known as the 'Girl-Child Education Program,' aimed at increasing the participation of girls in school, a group that had the highest truancy rates. The Nigerian government provided incentives to parents and students by ensuring free lunch, school uniforms, and transportation for students who lived far from school. This helped reduce truancy and increase school attendance.
Drawing from these examples, Tanzania can learn by strengthening awareness campaigns aimed at reaching parents in rural areas, where truancy is most prevalent. The government can introduce closer monitoring of student attendance and provide incentives for children who regularly attend school, such as free lunch at school or school supplies.
As well, establishing parent clubs in various schools will enable direct communication between teachers and parents regarding the importance of education for their children. This will help build a new awareness among parents about the role of education in their children’s future.
By doing so, there will be a greater chance of eradicating the issue of school truancy, ultimately leading to a well-educated generation capable of competing in both the local and international job markets. The cooperation and unity of all stakeholders are essential to achieving this national goal of ensuring that every child receives the quality education they deserve.