The Government of Tanzania has invested TZS 18.29 billion to improve sanitation infrastructure in public primary and secondary schools across the country, in a nationwide effort to address the shortage of toilet facilities and promote safer and healthier learning environments for students.
The update was presented in Parliament in Dodoma on April 27, 2026, by the Deputy Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO-RALG), Dr. Festo Dugange, who was responding on behalf of the Minister of State in the same office.
He was answering a question from Mwita Waitara, Member of Parliament for Tarime Rural, who sought to know the government’s strategy in addressing the shortage of toilets in schools across local government authorities.
Dr. Dugange told Parliament that the government has been conducting annual assessments to determine the actual need for sanitation facilities in schools, taking into account the continuous increase in student enrolment across the country.
According to the 2025 Basic Education Census, the current situation shows that in primary schools there is one toilet for every 46 boys and one toilet for every 42 girls. In secondary schools, the ratio stands at one toilet for every 27 boys and one for every 25 girls.
He explained that out of the total investment, TZS 12.87 billion was used in the 2024/2025 financial year to construct 6,283 toilet units in schools across Tanzania.
In addition, TZS 5.42 billion has been allocated and utilised in the 2025/2026 financial year up to April 2026 to continue implementation of the same programme aimed at reducing the existing gap.
Dr. Dugange emphasized that the programme is continuous, noting that the education sector keeps expanding due to the construction of new schools and increasing student enrolment. He said the government will therefore continue allocating resources every year to ensure sanitation facilities keep pace with demand.
He further explained that the government is implementing the programme using both central government funds and local government authority revenues, ensuring shared responsibility in improving school infrastructure.
According to the assessment findings, a standard school with about 400 students is expected to have at least 12 toilet units to meet basic hygiene requirements.
However, Dr. Dugange noted that some schools are still below this standard due to rapid enrolment growth, while others are already experiencing higher pressure on existing facilities.
He assured Parliament that the government has strengthened its budgeting system to ensure annual allocations for sanitation infrastructure in schools, reaffirming its commitment to ensuring that all learning institutions have adequate and safe facilities.
The investment is expected to significantly improve hygiene standards in schools, reduce health risks, and enhance student attendance and dignity, particularly for girls, who are often most affected by inadequate sanitation facilities.
