‘Obtain birth certificates to ease school registration’
ZANZIBAR: PARENTS and guardians in Chambani Shehia, Mkoani District in Zanzibar, have been urged to ensure their children are issued with birth certificates immediately after birth, to avoid future complications, especially in education.
The advice was given by Chambani Secondary School Headteacher, Mr Ali Mohamed Abeid, during a graduation ceremony for Form IV students preparing to sit for their final examinations.
Mr Abeid said schools continue to face major challenges when registering students who lack birth certificates, noting that discrepancies in the spelling or arrangement of names often lead to complaints from parents after registration.
“We face serious challenges registering students without birth certificates. We often record the names they use in school, but once they later obtain their certificates, the names differ. This creates problems when applying for higher education or employment,” he explained.
Similarly, Chambani Primary School Headteacher, Mr Said Faki Hassan, said the problem also affects the registration of primary pupils. He noted that name inconsistencies between Grade Four and Grade Seven records cause data mismatches within the Ministry of Education’s system.
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“Parents should make it a priority to obtain birth certificates for their children soon after birth. Delays cause inconvenience not only to parents but also to teachers and students,” he emphasised.
Mr Hassan further advised parents who have not yet secured birth certificates to do so before their children are registered for national examinations in Grades Three and Four, as those details are carried forward through higher levels of education.
On his part, Chambani Sheha (Community Leader), Mr Omar Mohamed Abdalla, called on parents and guardians to take deliberate steps to obtain birth certificates for their children, saying that the process is simple and accessible.
“After receiving the hospital-issued birth notification, parents should visit the district offices to complete the registration process and obtain the official certificate. Those who deliver at home should report to the Shehia office to receive a confirmation form and further guidance,” he said.
Mr Abdalla stressed that birth certificates are essential identification documents required to obtain both the Tanzania NIDA and Zanzibari ID cards, which are needed to access almost all government services.
He also reminded residents to follow up on death certificates after losing family members, noting that many people neglect this despite its importance in handling family and inheritance matters.
“Every Shehia office records all deaths and forwards them to the district authorities. Families should ensure they collect the official death certificates,” he said.
