Tanzania

Innovative approaches to education

80 to 120 pupils in one classroom, one book for 20 twenty children, and one toilet for 120 girls and boys: in Tanzania this is no exception. Enrolment rates for primary school are high in our project country in East Africa, but tight budgets and the lack of teachers tend to undermine this success. Wherever you look there are shortages: of school infrastructure, of teaching materials and of well-trained teachers. Young teachers – inadequately trained in crash courses and generally badly paid – bear the brunt. Poor atmosphere in school, physical punishment, and pupils dropping out after grade seven are the result of teachers being stressed and overstretched.

In Tanzania, the Pestalozzi Children's Foundation supports innovative holistic projects which improve education and provide access for children who are otherwise excluded from mainstream education.

 

Schooling for street children

Our partner organisation Mkombozi runs street schools for children who live and work on the streets. In addition pupils receive medical and psycho-social care.

Children with special education needs

Our partner organisation VSO raises awareness among teachers, parents and educational authorities and prepares them for the teaching of children with special needs, such as impairment of hearing or of sight. The project develops a model for integrative education which is implemented in other schools in Tanzania as well.

Education and teaching without violence

Our third project, in collaboration with our partner organisation Mwanza Women Development Association (MWDA), strengthens children and young people to become active and take a stand against violence. Corporal punishment has been socially accepted since colonial times and is a widespread practice in schools and families alike. Girls are at risk of sexual abuse by teachers and older pupils and if they get pregnant are excluded from school. Further training and sensitisation of teachers, headmasters, parents and education authorities are part of this project.

High quality books for children

Our fourth project is run in conjunction with our partner organisation CBP (Children‘s Book Project). It develops children’s books in Kiswahili and trains teachers to apply child-friendly teaching methods. The project is aimed at stimulating the joy of reading and writing and with it curiosity for life.