Public Schools claim 58 per cent of students benefited from Samia Scholarship
DODOMA: STUDENTS from public schools have dominated the first batch of beneficiaries of the Samia Scholarship, accounting for 58 per cent of candidates selected for the prestigious overseas higher education sponsorship.
Minister for Education, Science and Technology Prof Adolf Mkenda announced this in Dodoma saying that the remaining 42 per cent of successful applicants came from private schools, demonstrating that the scholarship programme is based on academic excellence rather than the type of school attended.
Addressing journalists, Prof Mkenda said the selection process was conducted through strict and competitive criteria aimed at identifying students with outstanding academic performance.
“The Samia Scholarship does not consider whether a student comes from a government or private school. It focuses on academic qualifications and identifying the best-performing students,” he said.
The minister described the Samia Scholarship as a highly competitive and prestigious sponsorship programme, saying the selection process was carefully conducted to ensure only the most deserving students benefit.
In addition, the minister stated that the government has selected 50 top-performing Form Six graduates from the 2026 examinations in PCM, PGM and PMC combinations to receive scholarships to study higher education abroad in emerging technology fields, including Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Science.
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According to the minister, the initiative aims to develop a new generation of Tanzanian experts capable of driving innovation, scientific advancement and technological transformation.
He said the names of successful candidates would be announced today, while all students selected for the programme would undergo special preparatory training at the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST) in Arusha for a period not exceeding 10 months before beginning their studies abroad.
According to Prof Mkenda, the preparatory programme will equip students with skills needed to adapt to international learning environments while strengthening their patriotism so they can effectively represent Tanzania during their studies overseas.
He said all selected students achieved Grade A in all three subjects in their respective combinations. However, he clarified that not every student who scored three As qualified for the scholarship because selection depended on the highest levels of academic performance.
“The main criterion was outstanding performance in the relevant subjects, with priority given to students who studied Advanced Mathematics because it provides a strong foundation for advanced technology fields such as Artificial Intelligence and Data Science,” he said.
Prof Mkenda urged students who sat for the 2026 Form Six examinations to continue following official announcements from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology regarding the list of beneficiaries and other procedures through the ministry’s official platforms.
The Samia Scholarship is part of the government’s broader strategy to invest in science, technology and innovation by preparing skilled professionals who will contribute to Tanzania’s digital transformation and future economic growth.
