- I want to commend HakiElimu for its contributions to increased transparency and accountability in the education sector. Through making information generally available, promoting debate and carrying out relevant analyses HakiElimu is promoting citizens’ engagement and participation in a way that is useful for the whole country. This was stated by the Swedish Ambassador Staffan Herrström during a visit to HakiElimu Wednesday October 29th.
- Providing education is the responsibility of the government but a government can never be isolated in this task. Participation of pupils, parents and civil society is crucial for quality education.
- A key issue for education in Tanzania is making sure that funds meant for primary and secondary education of girls and boys are reaching the schools and are used for the intended purposes. Promoting the citizens’ right to information and making official documents public and easily accessible for ordinary people is crucial in these efforts.
- The vision of HakiElimu of all children enjoying their right to a quality basic education is easy to share. Let me take this opportunity to stress the importance of that right being realised also for vulnerable groups like persons with disabilities. And of course that right should be equally shared by girls and boys. I find it important that also girls who become pregnant are allowed to continue in school and not be expelled. I know that Zanzibar recently has changed its policy on this. I sincerely hope that mainland Tanzania will follow in that direction and let all girls get the right to education, stated the Swedish Ambassador Staffan Herrström.