Pupils in primary schools in Longido District, Arusha Region, are facing serious challenges, including lack of school meals, a situation that is affecting their academic performance and prompting education stakeholders to step in with support initiatives.
The challenges were highlighted during a stakeholders’ education forum held in Longido and organized by the Community Research and Development Services (CORDS), which brought together officials from Longido Council, education coordinators, village leaders, teachers, and civil society actors.
The meeting discussed key barriers affecting learning, especially among pupils in mainstream schools and MEMKWA learners, a programme designed to support out-of-school children to catch up with basic education.
Education officials said the problem of parents failing to provide meals for children at school remains significant, particularly in pastoralist communities where school feeding is not yet fully prioritized.
An education officer from Ngarenaibo Ward, Paulo Teveli, noted that many pupils go to school without food, which reduces concentration in class and slows learning progress.
He said the situation is also affecting MEMKWA learners, with at least 31 learners in his ward facing similar challenges.
He added that the problem is linked to low prioritisation of education by some parents, while others are affected by economic hardships. He stressed the need for joint efforts between government, communities, and development partners to address the issue.
Teachers also raised concern over the same challenge. A teacher at Longido Primary School, Sein Kitomali, said school feeding remains one of the biggest obstacles in pastoral communities.
He noted that some pupils walk long distances to reach school and therefore need reliable access to meals and learning materials.
Kitomali, who oversees MEMKWA learners at the school, said the institution has 62 MEMKWA pupils, 38 of whom are preparing for Standard Four examinations this year.
He added that support provided through CORDS has helped improve learning conditions, including the provision of learning materials and other essential school supplies.
Community leaders also acknowledged the challenge. Ngoswaki Village Chairperson, Karia Mollel, said pastoralist communities still face difficulties in fully embracing education, although efforts are ongoing to improve attendance and reduce cases of early marriage and school dropout.
He said local leaders are working with parents to ensure children attend school regularly and contribute to school feeding arrangements so that pupils can learn in better conditions.
Speaking during the forum, CORDS Education Manager, Ezekiel Piniel, said the discussions were part of the implementation of the Building Economic Livelihoods through Inclusive Education and Financial Empowerment (BELIEF) project, funded by Stromme Foundation.
He said the project targets Longido and Ngorongoro districts and focuses on supporting vulnerable learners, youth, and small business groups. In Longido, the project is being implemented in selected schools, including Ngoswaki and Longido Primary Schools.
Piniel explained that the initiative provides learning materials, supports classroom improvement, and assists children with special needs.
It also supports youth through life skills programmes and helps women and youth groups improve financial management, record keeping, and savings culture.
Local government officials say efforts to improve education outcomes are already showing progress. The Acting Longido District Executive Director, Nestory Dagharo, said school feeding is a shared responsibility in the district and parents are expected to contribute to ensure children receive meals at school.
He noted that the food contributed by parents is the same food that would be prepared at home, making school feeding a practical community responsibility rather than an additional burden.
Dagharo also said the council continues to improve school enrolment rates each year and has made progress in reducing truancy and addressing challenges such as early marriages, which previously affected girls’ education.
Education stakeholders in Longido have called for stronger collaboration between government institutions, communities, and development partners to ensure that every child has access to both education and basic school needs, including meals, which remain critical for improving learning outcomes in the district.
