Misungwi’s Education Revamp: Infrastructure boosts schools, performance

MWANZA: FOR educational investment to be truly effective, it must be accompanied by robust infrastructure, skilled teachers and active contributions from parents.

Misungwi District, located in Mwanza region, Tanzania, serves as a prime example of this approach, demonstrating the significant impact of strategic investments in primary education infrastructure.

In a recent interview with the Daily News, Mr Christopher Legonda, Acting Executive Director of Misungwi District Council, shared insights into the district’s progress under the leadership of President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

He praised the remarkable achievements of the sixth phase government in advancing the education sector.

Over the past four years, Misungwi District has seen significant investments. The council received a total of 2.3bn/- from the central government for development projects, along with 3.8bn/-for the free education programme.

In addition, the council has garnered 468m/- from the Constituency Development Fund and local revenues, all dedicated to enhancing primary school infrastructure.

These funds have been utilised for a variety of educational initiatives.

Notably, the council constructed 51 classrooms and 88 toilet pits in primary schools and built a new satellite school in Mabuki Village as part of the Boosting Primary and PrePrimary Education (BOOST) programme, at a cost of nearly 2bn/-.

Additionally, the construction of two kindergarten classrooms and six toilet pits at Mwawile Primary School cost 55.8m/-.

Other projects include a computer lab at the Misungwi Teachers’ Resource Centre (TRC) for 21.9m/- and the completion of seven toilet pits across several primary schools.

Legonda also highlighted the council’s efforts to renovate ageing schools such as Misungwi, Koromije and Mbarika, with 25 new toilet pits constructed at five primary schools, amounting to 208m/-.

Furthermore, the Constituency Development Fund supported the building of one teacher’s house and three classrooms at Mwanenge and Kanyelele primary schools at a cost of 12m/-.

These classrooms are now operational. As a result of these infrastructural advancements, Misungwi District has seen a marked improvement in educational outcomes.

The district’s pass rate in the Primary School Leaving Examinations has steadily increased from 65 per cent to 70.58 per cent over three consecutive years (2021–2023), securing the fifth position both regionally and nationally among topperforming councils.

Additionally, in the 2024 national assessment for Standard Four, the district’s pass rate rose from 69.03 per cent to an impressive 88.41 per cent.

The district’s investment in education has not only boosted performance but also enhanced the physical learning environment.

Mr Legonda emphasised that the construction of new schools and classrooms has drastically reduced absenteeism, improved student morale and created a more conducive learning atmosphere.

In 2024, the district allocated 456m/- from its internal revenues to construct 65 classrooms across 38 primary schools and build 10 teachers’ offices.

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Additionally, the government through the BOOST programme invested nearly 2bn/- in building 51 classrooms and 88 toilet pits and is in the process of constructing two new secondary schools under the Secondary Education Quality Improvement (SEQUIP) programme.

There is also a major vocational school being constructed with a budget of 1.6bn/-.

The funds provided through the free education programme have played a crucial role in improving both student and teacher performance.

This year alone, the council received 2.6bn/- to continue these improvements.

Teachers, students and parents have all warmly embraced these projects, with many areas seeing the establishment of schools where none existed before.

As a testament to the impact of these investments, Mr Legonda shared how local communities have expressed their appreciation for the government’s efforts.

He cited the example of Mwabebeya Primary School, which received 504m/- through the BOOST programme.

The funds were used to build a two-stream school with a main administrative block, four teachers’ offices, 25 toilet pits and 16 classrooms.

The school now serves both primary and preprimary students, providing a modern educational facility to the area.

Similarly, the construction of Shilabela Primary School, which cost 540.3m/-, has alleviated overcrowding at nearby Mbela Primary School.

The new school now accommodates 1,348 students from pre-primary through standard seven, offering a wellequipped and friendly learning environment.

According to Head Teacher Mr Twaha Saidi, the residents of Mbela Village take great pride in the modern school, noting that it is comparable to a college in its quality.

Mr Saidi, along with Head Teacher Joseph Kottondo of Mwabebeya Primary School, expressed gratitude to President Samia Suluhu Hassan for her commitment to improving the educational infrastructure.

The residents and teachers have praised the President’s efforts, acknowledging the positive transformation of their schools and the broader impact on the community.

The success of Misungwi District’s educational projects showcases how strategic investments in infrastructure, alongside government support and community involvement, can significantly improve educational outcomes.

With the leadership of President Samia and the continued dedication of local councils, Tanzania’s education sector is on a clear path to growth and development.

In conclusion, the remarkable strides made by Misungwi District in the past four years demonstrate the transformative power of investment in education.

By focusing on infrastructure, creating conducive learning environments and involving the local community, the district is setting a powerful example for other regions to follow.

These efforts are helping to shape a brighter future for Tanzanian students and are contributing to the nation’s long-term development.