Barrick school project to ease pupils’ long walks in Tarime

TARIME: PUPILS from three hamlets in Kerende Village, Tarime District, are set to benefit from improved access to primary education following the construction of Mgosi Primary School by Barrick North Mara Mine.

The school, built under the mine’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, is expected to ease the burden on children who have had to travel long distances to attend classes, while creating opportunities for more pupils to enrol in school.

Located in Kemambo Ward, the facility will serve communities across Kerende Village, particularly children from Mgosi, Isakahembe and Nyanyoka hamlets.

Kerende has 10 hamlets and a population of more than 8,000 people. The new facility will become the village’s fourth government primary school, alongside Kerende, Ngeng’e and Ntimaro primary schools.

The school was named after Mount Mgosi, one of the area’s local attractions.

Construction began in June 2025, and the contractor handed over the facility to the village government in January 2026. Preparations for its official opening are in the final stages, with hundreds of pupils expected to benefit, including some who will be transferred from other schools in the village.

Kerende Village Government Chairperson Marwa Gabogwe said the school would address an important educational need by bringing learning facilities closer to children.

He said the project would improve access to primary education and reduce the difficulties faced by pupils who previously travelled long distances to attend schools in neighbouring villages.

More than 300 million shillings was invested in the project, which involved acquiring a 10-acre site and constructing six classrooms, a teachers’ office, separate toilet facilities for teachers and pupils, and a football pitch.

The project also provided desks for 125 pupils. The desks have been completed and are awaiting the school’s official opening.

Residents have welcomed the investment, describing the facility as an important addition to the village’s education infrastructure.

“This project was a major need because our village has 10 hamlets and a large number of pupils. It will therefore be of great benefit to our children,” said Mussa Magaigwa, a resident and member of the Kerende Village Government.

Kemambo Ward Councillor Rashid Bogomba said the construction was among the development projects supported by Barrick North Mara through its CSR programme.

“The work is progressing well. CSR funding has enabled the construction of the new Mgosi Primary School, and all the buildings have been completed. This is significant progress,” said Mr Bogomba, who also chairs the mine’s Community Development Committee (CDC).

The school project is part of wider community development investments by North Mara Gold Mine, which operates under a partnership between Barrick and the Government of Tanzania through Twiga Minerals.

Since 2019, the mine has spent 26.86 billion shillings implementing 255 CSR projects in Tarime District Council, according to available statistics.

The projects cover key sectors, including education, healthcare, roads, water supply, economic development and environmental conservation.

Through these initiatives, Barrick North Mara continues to support efforts to improve social services, strengthen community infrastructure and expand economic opportunities in areas surrounding the mine.