EDUCATION: The world’s greatest equalizer

Education has long been touted as a tool through which we can tackle various societal issues like poverty, unemployment, illiteracy.

In line with the Sustainable Development Goals, many governments have made commitments   to advancing education by fostering inclusive learning environments, promoting equitable access to quality education, and empowering learners to thrive.

And Tanzania has not been left behind in this transformative journey.

According to a United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) report, about 3.2 million children in Tanzania do not attend school with the net secondary enrollment standing at 27%. Children from rural areas are the most disadvantaged due to inadequate facilities and high student to teacher ratio.

The education system in Tanzania however, has evolved so much over the years during the different regimes. Currently, Tanzania has a broad education system which starts with the kindergarten level for two years. This level is also called pre-primary education. It is then followed by the primary level education which goes for seven years, and the secondary school level which goes for four years, culminating in advanced secondary school level for two years.

President Samia Suluhu has been working towards improving the education system in Tanzania since her coming to office.

Mama Suluhu has pushed for educational reforms as part of her vision for Tanzania’s economy which has in turn contributed to massive growth in the Tanzania education sector. Her government commitment to education has increased spending on infrastructure and the quality in overall. This effort has resulted in greater access to school through increase in enrolment rate and a decrease in drop-out rates.

Tanzania, under her leadership has experienced growth across various sectors ranging from economic to education. And these efforts have paid off as the country is now attracting investors from all over the world.

One such investor is, Musyoka Morris, a name that resonates throughout the African tech landscape, a beacon of innovation and impact. With a formidable background in mathematical sciences and an unwavering passion for software engineering, Morris has carved a niche for himself in the ever-evolving world of technology.

His journey in education began with a fervor for mathematics, a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the University of Nairobi, laying a solid foundation for his higher education and career. He further honed his skills by pursuing a master’s in mathematical sciences from the University of Western Cape, South Africa, demonstrating his commitment to academic excellence and interdisciplinary learning.

Despite his young age, Musyoka has strategically positioned himself at the forefront of the tech industry by continuously advancing his knowledge and skills. His proactive approach towards learning, coupled with a pragmatic problem-solving mindset, has enabled him to navigate complex challenges with ease. Embracing open-source principles, he actively contributes to the community, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange.

The African conglomerate runs investments in vast sectors including but not limited to tech (software development), hospitality, real estate, sports and gaming and agribusiness. Spreading across the continent, his presence is in Kenya, Uganda, Zambia and soon Tanzania, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Mauritius, and Ghana. The question that lingers through his mind is, ‘Do we give education the accolades it deserves?’

As Mama Samia Suluhu affirms her commitment to transforming the education sector and  bridge the gap between education, modernization, research and execution in the technological era, these endeavors are touted to be achieved through updated policies and engagement of qualified professional in curriculum development.

With the world currently adjusting and leaning towards the technological era, education bridges the gap as the literate comfortably adjust to the global advancements enabling not only them but also the community to benefit both socially and economically through transformative learning.

Musyoka having been exposed to and valuing the various challenges in accessing quality education has been instrumental in ensuring that students are not only taken to school, but they are also kept there.

A hungry learner is a distracted one, it is this notion and through life’s experiences that made it easy for him to ensure full concentration of students through food distribution and school feeding programs. Two special needs schools in Mbeere, Embu and three schools in Embu, Kitui and Kajiado in Kenya have the privilege of benefiting from a school feeding program. The teachers, learners and support staff get meals that ensure daily concentration and sustenance. Distribution of dry food ensures quality food consumption hence eradicating hunger and sustaining families at Mathare and Mukuru kwa Reuben which are low-income zones in Kenya.

Water and Sanitation Programs (WASH) run through a partnership with the Ministry of Health in three counties in Kenya ensures that no child is out of school due to water-borne diseases or sanitation relation issues.

These are efforts he intends to execute across Africa, Tanzania being among the beneficiaries.

Musyoka reiterates that to fill the learning gaps, there is need for more teachers’ training, technological education, peer-to-peer workshops for skilled youths, investors and government commitment and higher education leaning support and promotion through scholarships.

In all that we do, may we never forget that education’s impact is not only on individuals, but also to the community, country and the world.

Morris Musyoka is budding software engineer, mathematician and African entrepreneur.