The Mbarali District Council in Mbeya Region is taking major steps to recognize and improve 23 satellite education centers across the district.
The council is working to ensure these centers are officially registered under the law, meeting the standards required to operate as fully recognized schools.
For 2026, five centers have applied for registration as official primary schools, bringing formal education closer to communities in remote areas.
Speaking to Timesmajira Online on February 17, 2026, District Executive Director Raymond Mweli explained that some villages and hamlets in the district lack formal primary and secondary schools. To fill this gap, satellite schools were established to serve children in these underserved areas.
“We are not establishing new primary or secondary schools from scratch. Instead, we are recognizing existing satellite centers and working to register them legally. Our goal is not just registration but also deploying qualified teachers and ensuring that all services available in mainstream schools are extended to these centers from Early Childhood Education to Grade III,” said Mr. Mweli.
The council is also assessing the quality of education in these centers by sending experts to conduct evaluations.
Reports from these assessments guide further improvements, with the ultimate aim of upgrading the centers into official schools.
Currently, all recognized satellite centers in Mbarali continue to operate and provide education, while teacher deployment is ongoing to ensure students have access to quality learning.
Mr. Mweli also noted that wards without secondary schools are being planned for new establishments to expand access to education further.
On the topic of infrastructure, Mr. Mweli said the council will continue to allocate funds from local revenue to improve classrooms, toilets, and teaching and learning materials.
For the 2026/27 fiscal year, TZS 100,000,000 has been set aside to complete eight classrooms across eight satellite centers. The council also plans to partner with development organizations to further enhance the schools.
“Satellite centers are a priority for us. By collaborating with stakeholders, we can improve these schools significantly,” he added.
Rujewa Ward Councilor Jeremiah Makao emphasized the positive impact of satellite schools, noting that children from remote areas no longer have to travel long distances to access education.
He praised the council’s efforts to deploy teachers and improve learning environments, while stressing the importance of fast-tracking registration so the schools can gain full legal recognition.
