The government has directed regional and council education officers to begin early preparations to accommodate a large number of students who will join secondary schools at the same time in 2028.
The Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government (PMO-RALG), Riziki Shemdoe, issued the directive as the country prepares for two groups of primary school pupils who will complete their studies in 2027 and join Form One together in January 2028.
Speaking on March 2, 2026 while opening the 12th General Meeting of Regional and Council Education Officers from Mainland Tanzania in Arusha, Prof Shemdoe said early planning is crucial to ensure schools are ready to receive the large number of new students.
He said the expected “double cohort” will involve pupils currently in Standard Six and Standard Seven, who will both complete their primary education in 2027 and proceed to Form One at the same time.
“We must begin early preparations to receive Standard Six and Standard Seven pupils who will join Form One together in January 2028,” Prof Shemdoe said.
He noted that education officers already have accurate statistics on the number of pupils expected to transition to secondary schools, and urged them to compile the data carefully and submit it to the Prime Minister’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government (PMO-RALG) and local government authorities.
The information, he said, will guide the government in making key preparations, including the construction of additional classrooms, ensuring the availability of desks and recruiting enough teachers to meet the rising demand.
Prof Shemdoe emphasised that early preparations will help prevent pressure on school infrastructure and ensure that learning conditions remain conducive for students.
He also called on council directors to work closely with councillors, parents and guardians to strengthen school feeding programmes in pre-primary, primary and secondary schools.
According to him, providing meals in schools is essential in improving students’ attendance, participation in class and overall academic performance.