Secondary school students have been encouraged to take science and mathematics seriously as key pathways to future employment, amid growing demand for science-based skills driven by rapid advances in technology and infrastructure development.
The call was made on February 23, 2026, in Dodoma during an outreach programme by experts from the National Institute of Transport (NIT), who visited several secondary schools to motivate students to pursue science subjects and dispel the long-held belief that mathematics and science are too difficult.
Speaking during the visit, NIT Assistant Lecturer Ms Dorothy Manoza said negative attitudes towards mathematics have contributed to many students shying away from science streams, limiting their future career prospects.
“Mathematics is just like any other subject. A student can succeed if they put in effort. In many cases, poor performance is linked to weak foundations rather than the subject itself,” she said, urging students to strengthen their basics instead of avoiding the subject altogether.
She also called on parents and guardians to stop discouraging children particularly girls from studying science subjects, saying such attitudes continue to deny young people equal opportunities.
“There is a misconception that girls who study science or mathematics will face challenges later in life. This is not true. The modern world is driven by science and technology, and both boys and girls must be given equal chances to pursue these subjects,” she said.
NIT Public Relations Officer Mr Juma Mandai said the transport and logistics sector offers significant employment opportunities for science graduates, especially as the government implements large-scale strategic projects.
He cited ongoing efforts to revive the national airline through the acquisition of passenger and cargo aircraft, which require skilled professionals such as pilots and aircraft engineers.
“Currently, the country has a shortage of such experts, forcing the government to incur high costs by hiring from abroad. Training local professionals will reduce costs while creating jobs for our youth,” he said.
He added that other initiatives, including shipbuilding projects and improvements in the transport sector, also require science-trained specialists.
Students at Chinangali Secondary School in Dodoma said the outreach had positively changed their perception of science subjects.
Salim Hassan, a student at the school, said many learners previously preferred arts subjects, but the engagement with NIT officials had helped them understand where future job opportunities lie.
“We have learned that most employment opportunities are in science-related fields, and this has motivated us, especially younger students,” he said.
Another student, Sakina Mustafa, said the visit reinforced the message that science subjects are not reserved for boys. “Girls can also perform well in science and achieve their ambitions,” she said.
The school’s headteacher, Mr Victor Salisali, acknowledged challenges such as a shortage of science teachers but stressed that this should not discourage students.
“We are living in an era of science and technology. Students must align themselves with these changes by focusing on science subjects,” he said.
NIT officials said the outreach programme would continue in various secondary schools from February 23 to 27, 2026, as part of efforts to improve performance in science subjects and encourage students to pursue science-based courses at higher learning institutions.