By Alfred Zacharia
The Media Council of Tanzania (MCT) and Uwezo Tanzania, an independent non-governmental organization, have signed a three-year cooperation agreement aimed at strengthening education journalism in the country.
The partnership seeks to improve reporting on children’s learning progress and life skills, promote the use of research and evidence in education coverage, and encourage community participation in education matters.
Speaking at the signing ceremony on Wednesday, MCT Executive Director Ernest Sungura said the agreement takes effect immediately.
He described the collaboration as a convergence of two vital stakeholders: MCT, which upholds journalistic ethics, and Uwezo Tanzania, known for citizen-led learning assessments and education policy advocacy.
“The agreement also involves Uwezo Tanzania’s partners in the Life Skills and Values Project, including the Organization for Community Development (OCODE), Milele Zanzibar Foundation (MZF), and the University of Dar es Salaam,” Sungura said.
“Our main goal is to ensure every child can learn effectively and is empowered to handle life’s challenges. The media will play a crucial role in conveying this message professionally and impactfully,” he added.
The agreement outlines several initiatives to strengthen journalists’ capacity and raise public awareness on education issues.
These include establishing education desks in media houses, providing grants for in-depth reporting, organizing school visits for firsthand exposure, and introducing an Education Journalism Award under the Excellence in Journalism Awards Tanzania (EJAT), coordinated by MCT.
Uwezo Tanzania Executive Director Baraka Mgohamwende highlighted the media’s central role in driving educational progress.
“We are committed to providing journalists with professional training, enhancing editorial skills, and ensuring access to accurate education data,” he said.
“These steps will help journalists produce stories that are accurate, engaging, and impactful, sparking national dialogue and encouraging policy decisions that reflect the real needs of communities,” he added.
The agreement’s implementation will be overseen by MCT’s Media Intelligence Consulting Services (MICS) unit, which will also facilitate dissemination of Uwezo Tanzania’s research and reports to the public and key stakeholders in the education and media sectors.
