Dar schools reap benefits of students’ financial literacy projects

DAR ES SALAAM: EDUCATION and youth development stakeholders have underscored the importance of financial literacy and entrepreneurship training for students, saying it equips them with vital skills for self-reliance both during school and after graduation.

Speaking during a special Bonanza organized to celebrate students who excelled in business projects under the Mshilo Club Project, implemented by Her Initiative, stakeholders emphasized that financial literacy is one of the most effective tools in addressing the growing challenge of unemployment.

Launched in 2019, the project aims to empower girls to remain in school by equipping them with knowledge in financial management, entrepreneurship, and marketing, enabling them to sustain themselves even beyond their studies.

Her Initiative Executive Director, Lydia Charles, said the program helps students understand how to manage money, budget, and start small businesses.

“This knowledge enables students to earn income even when formal jobs are scarce after graduation. We teach them financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and marketing so they can discover themselves and build confidence,” said Lydia.

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According to her, the project is being implemented in several ward secondary schools, including: King’ong’o Secondary School  where there is a vegetable farming, Kiluvya Secondary School where they have opened barbershop business, Dar es Salaam Girls Secondary School for production of nutritional products such as chili sauce, baobab sweets, and roasted groundnuts.

Also there is Kisaranga  Secondary Schoolwhere there is a plant for producing soap.

So far, more than 591 students have benefited from the project. Income from the products they make has also helped address school challenges, including access to sanitary pads for girls.

Representing Ubungo District Commissioner Albert Msando, Ubungo Division Officer Agnes Kyando commended the initiative and called on development partners to continue working with the government to ensure such projects sustain their support for young people across the country.

“The skills students acquire help them to be self-aware, utilize their creativity to seize opportunities within their communities, and prepare for self-reliance after school,” she said.

During the event, schools that excelled in project implementation were awarded prizes and trophies. Kisaranga Secondary School emerged as the overall winner, receiving a trophy and cash prize for their success in soap production.