GBV awareness now included in school curriculum, MPs told

DODOMA: GENDER-Based Violence (GBV) has been integrated into the national school curriculum as part of recent reforms designed to embed cross-cutting issues within the education system.

Deputy Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Omary Kipanga, said in the National Assembly yesterday while responding to a primary question from Special Seats MP Amina Mzee (CCM), who had inquired about plans to introduce GBV topics in schools starting from the primary level.

Mr Kipanga said the 2023 curriculum review for Pre-primary, Primary, Secondary and Teacher Education levels ensures alignment with the 2014 Education and Training Policy, updated in the same year.

“In the revised curriculum, GBV and other crosscutting themes have been infused into various subjects across all education levels,” he told the House.

He added that a new compulsory subject titled Tanzania History and Ethics, now taught from pre-primary to Form Six, includes dedicated topics designed to equip students with skills to understand and reject gender-based violence.

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In a supplementary question, MP Mzee asked how the government plans to build broader awareness of GBV and ensure inter-ministerial cooperation on the issue.

Responding, Mr Kipanga said the government has been educating both students and the wider community.

He said that the Tanzania Institute of Education (TIE) has launched an educational television channel to support the delivery of curriculum content.

“The TV station also facilitates teaching of life and work skills while promoting awareness on gender-based violence,” he said.

On collaboration, Mr Kipanga acknowledged that GBV is a cross-cutting issue and said ministries have continued to work together to provide education and outreach on the matter.