Free Primary Education in Tanzania? : A case study on costs and accessibility of primary education in Babati town

Abstract: In 2002 Tanzania initiated the implementation of the Primary Education Development Plan (PEDP), in which a substantial capacity expansion and quality improvement of primary education was outlined. The most important measure in the plan was to make primary school free and accessible to all, irrespective of financial capabilities. This thesis is a qualitative policy study, which aims at finding out whether or not primary education is free and equally accessible to all in Tanzania. Besides establishing if it is in fact free and accessible, the thesis identifies the main costs and restraints to access and also brings forward the children’s perceptions on these restraints. The answers to these questions were sought in a case study, conducted in Babati District in Northern Tanzania. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with households, school staff and primary school children and their responses has been compared to the national policy on primary education. The main conclusions of the study are that: Primary education is not free in Tanzania, as there are significant costs involved to send a child to primary school, such as school uniform, school material and various contributions to the running costs of the school. Neither is primary education equally accessible to all, as children from households, which cannot pay these costs, are sent home from school on a regular basis. Lastly, being sent home has a damaging effect on the children’s school performances and self-esteem.