‘We’ve made great strides’

PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has hailed the significant progress made in the education sector, particularly in advancing the enrollment of girls in schools
  • Dr Samia touts education feats
  • Embarks on state visit of Turkiye

TANZANIA: PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has hailed the significant progress made in the education sector, particularly in advancing the enrollment of girls in schools.

Embracing the vision of the late Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, who advocated for education as a tool for liberation, President Samia emphasized the transformative power of education in the nation’s development.

Dr Samia expressed her satisfaction with the strides taken by Tanzania through her official account yesterday, noting a remarkable improvement in the gender balance within classrooms across various regions.

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She highlighted that the nation has achieved a near 50/50 classroom ratio in many areas, indicating a substantial increase in female student enrollment.

Over the past three years, President Samia noted substantial efforts in enhancing education infrastructure, citing the construction of over 20,000 classrooms as a testament to the government’s commitment to expanding educational opportunities.

She expressed confidence in the ongoing initiatives aimed at enhancing the quality and efficiency of the education system, foreseeing successful outcomes in the near future.

Also Read: ‘Union earns Tanzania high respect’

In a poignant reflection on her journey, President Samia recounted a visit to her former neighbours, Asha Salum and her husband, retired Inspector of Police Rashid Zam Ali, along Mombasa Street in Unguja.

Recalling her school days from 1969 to 1973, she highlighted the stark difference in female student enrollment, which was less than 20 percent at the time.

Her experience underscored the significant progress made since then, reaffirming Tanzania’s dedication to advancing educational access for all.

President Samia concluded her statement by reiterating the enduring legacy of Mwalimu Nyerere and his belief in education as a catalyst for liberation.

She emphasized that wherever she travels within the country, she witnesses the remarkable advancements in education, echoing the principles championed by the Father of the Nation.

  • Embarks on state visit of Turkiye

Meanwhile, President Samia is expected to travel today to Turkey for a state visit aimed at elevating the bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

The visit of President Samia is due to an invitation from President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the President of Turkey.

This visit aims to further strengthen diplomatic, economic, and social relations between Tanzania and Turkey.

Tanzania and Turkey have had very good relations since July 5, 1963, when Turkey opened its embassy in Dar es Salaam in 1979.

Also Read: Samia to visit Türkiye

Turkish company investments in mainland Tanzania are valued at approximately 414.23 million US dollars in the transportation, manufacturing, and tourism sectors, creating employment for 6,062 people.

In Zanzibar, Turkey has made investments worth 96.4 million US dollars in the tourism sector,providing job opportunities for 719 people.

The signing of the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) has opened up opportunities for direct flights by Turkish Airlines from Istanbul to Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar.

This step has stimulated increased trade and tourism between Tanzania and Turkey. In 2017, Turkey entered into agreements with Tanzania for the construction of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR).

Tanzania and Turkey also entered into agreements for the construction of ships for Lake Tanganyika and Lake Victoria in 2023.

Major Tanzanian exports to Turkey include coffee, coconuts, raw tobacco, fish fillets, gold, rice, and soybeans, with these products valued at an average of 15.99 million US dollars per year.

Tanzania and Turkey have significant cooperation in the health sector, with Turkey providing medical aid and a large number of Tanzanians receiving treatment in Turkish hospitals.

On sports and culture, approximately 16 artists from Tanzania participated in music festivals in Turkey in 2022/23. Eight disabled football players and one female player are international players in a Turkish football club.