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History says the use of academic robes has a long history, dating back to medieval Europe. Photo: Courtesy
By Adonis Byemelwa
As
Tanzanians recover from the costs of celebrating Christmas and the New Year,
many parents are still grappling with the financial strain brought on by
graduation ceremonies.
While
these events are meant to mark the academic achievements of students, the costs
associated with them have become a cause for concern.
A major part of the problem is the rising cost
of academic robes, which are now being worn by children as young as those in
preschool. In some schools, the traditional academic robes have been replaced
by expensive tailored suits, costing between TZS 80,000 and TZS 100,000
depending on the quality.
For
many parents, this has become an added financial burden on top of the usual
expenses of school fees and other contributions.
Devotha
Paul, a parent whose child graduated from Form Four in Shinyanga, expressed her
frustration about the growing costs.
"I’m
surprised at how these robes have become a requirement. You feel forced to buy
one without asking any questions. If your child doesn’t wear one, they’ll look
out of place, and after spending years paying school fees and contributing to
various funds, you feel like you just need to get this over with to avoid extra
costs. Renting a robe can cost up to TZS 50,000, and if you’re forced to buy
one, it could cost as much as TZS 100,000," she said.
The
use of academic robes has a long history, dating back to medieval Europe. The
tradition originated in Islamic educational institutions. In the 9th century,
the first university in Europe was established in Salerno, Italy, by Muslims.
This
university was a continuation of the intellectual institutions found in the
Middle East, which were known for their advancements in science and education.
As
European students attended these institutions, they not only acquired knowledge
but also adopted certain cultural practices, including the wearing of specific
clothing, which symbolized academic achievement.
Upon returning to their own countries, these
students continued the tradition of wearing robes during graduation ceremonies,
marking a student’s academic status.
By
the 12th and 13th centuries, European universities such as Oxford, Cambridge,
and Bologna had adopted the practice of wearing robes.
At
these universities, robes were used to distinguish students and signify their
academic achievements. These garments were seen as symbols of high social
status, as they were primarily worn by the educated elite. Over time,
universities in Europe began to use robes in varying colors and designs to represent
different academic levels, creating a visual hierarchy within the academic
world.
In
Africa, the tradition of wearing academic robes was introduced during the
colonial era. Colonizers used these symbols as part of the education system
they imposed, making robes a representation of progress and modernity.
However, some African leaders, such as Julius
Nyerere, rejected the idea, associating it with colonialism and the elitist
systems it represented. Nyerere famously criticized the use of academic robes,
comparing them to “the turban of the colonizer,” and argued that the use of
such symbols perpetuated the social divide between the educated elite and the
rest of the population.
In
2016, Professor Joyce Ndalichako, the then Minister of Education, Science,
Technology, and Vocational Training, made a controversial statement calling for
a ban on the use of academic robes for students in primary and secondary
schools in Tanzania.
According
to her, robes should only be worn by students graduating from higher education,
as they are a symbol of significant academic achievement. "Academic robes
should be reserved for university graduates because they are a symbol of the
attainment of higher learning. Using them in lower levels of education
diminishes their value," she stated.
Her
announcement, however, was met with mixed reactions. Many were shocked that the
statement was not accompanied by any official policy or directive from the
government. Some parents and teachers supported her stance, agreeing that robes
at lower education levels were unnecessary and a financial burden.
However,
others, particularly in private schools, continued to require students to wear
robes during their graduation ceremonies. Parents, especially those from
lower-income families, were left to bear the cost of buying or renting these
garments, sometimes under pressure to meet the expectations of the school or
their peers.
One
of the issues raised by critics of the robe-wearing tradition in schools is the
financial strain it places on families. Esther Mwakalinga, a second-year law
student at the University of Dar es Salaam, explained that the cost of robes
and suits for graduation ceremonies is a heavy burden for many families.
"Many families struggle to meet basic needs, so having to pay for robes
for ceremonies that hold little educational value becomes an unnecessary
financial burden," she said. She went on to explain that for some
families, the inability to afford these expenses leads to feelings of shame,
especially when they cannot keep up with the costs that other families can
afford.
Students
themselves also have mixed feelings about the practice. Chacha Mwita, a
third-year student at Sokoine University of Agriculture in Morogoro, shared his
perspective on the use of robes for younger students.
"Academic regalia are supposed to
represent significant academic achievements, especially at higher levels, like
university graduation. Having young children in preschool or primary school
wear them undermines the meaning of these garments. It becomes more about the
ceremony than the actual achievement," Chacha said.
Despite
the controversy, many students still see the use of robes as an important part
of the graduation experience.
For
them, the robes serve as a symbol of their academic progress. Denis Daudi, a
Form Four graduate in Kahama, stated, "I don’t mind wearing the robe. It’s
a sign of achievement, and it shows that even in our family, we have scholars.
The photos we take during the ceremony are important because they capture this
milestone."
Dr.
Eliawony Meena, a former lecturer at Tumaini University Makumira, also weighed
in on the debate, recalling a time when wearing robes was considered a
prestigious symbol of academic success. He explained that, during the colonial
era, graduates were expected to wear robes as they embarked on their teaching
careers, setting them apart from others.
"When
I graduated in the colonial era, I had to wear a robe, even though I was
starting my teaching career. At that time, education was highly valued, and
wearing the robe was a sign of distinction. Now, even young children wear robes
without understanding their significance," Dr. Meena said.
The
ongoing debate about graduation robes in Tanzania highlights the tension
between tradition and financial strain. While many private schools continue to
insist on robes for students, arguing they represent academic achievement,
others see them as a symbol of social division and added financial pressure.
One
parent, Devotha Paul, shared, "The cost of robes is overwhelming,
especially when you’ve already spent so much on tuition and other fees."
The government and educational institutions must reconsider the necessity of
robes for lower education levels, she argued.
As
costs rise, some are calling for a change. "Education should be about
intellectual growth, not additional financial burdens," said Khadija
Mohammed, a resident. Tanzanians are asking for a solution that celebrates
academic success without straining families.
