By Samwel Gasuku, Lecturer, Institute of Adult Education, Tanzania
In Tanzania, many girls face significant barriers to continuing their secondary education. Factors such as underage marriage and teenage pregnancy often force them to drop out, depriving them of the opportunity to pursue their dreams and to acquire the necessary skills for further learning and development. However, the Tanzanian government, under the leadership of President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, has taken an important step towards addressing this issue by introducing the Secondary Education Quality Improvement Project-Alternative Education Pathway (SEQUIP-AEP). SEQUIP-AEP aims to provide a second chance who had to halt their formal schooling due to pregnancy. Expulsion from school puts these girls in challenging situations, leading to frustration and a loss of self-esteem. Human Rights Watch reported that at least 8,000 girls are expelled from schools each year in Tanzania (Human Rights Watch Report: 2014). Acknowledging the right to learn and the need to address this issue, the government has allowed teenage mothers to return to school, offering them a second chance learning program through the SEQUIP-AEP.
Governments worldwide have acknowledged the importance of providing universal access to basic education, particularly for women. However, cultural restrictions and gender inequalities still persist, denying women their rights and limiting their opportunities. The status of women in society plays a crucial role in their level of involvement in decision-making, the value placed on their work, and their ability to contribute to overall development. To tackle these challenges, the government launched SEQUIP-AEP, a program designed to empower girls and women by giving them the opportunity to enroll in and complete their secondary education.
The Institute of Adult Education (IAE), operating under the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology (MoEST), plays a key role in implementing SEQUIP-AEP in mainland Tanzania. The IAE is responsible for promoting access to quality Adult and Non-Formal Education (ANFE) programs for all Tanzanians, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Within this framework, SEQUIP-AEP was introduced to increase access to secondary education, focusing specifically on girls who had to discontinue their schooling due to, amongst others, early marriage, pregnancy, geographical barriers, cultural norms, and financial constraints.
Since its inception in 2021, SEQUIP-AEP has enrolled more than 6,949 girls across the country. This program is offered at 168 SEQUIP-AEP learning centers that have been established nationwide. These centers provide a supportive and conducive environment for learning, enabling girls to continue their education and pursue their goals. The government, through the MoEST, provides financial support to the IAE enabling the construction of new SEQUIP-AEP learning centers in various regions as well as the refurbishment of existing ones.
To ensure effective teaching and learning, the IAE has developed comprehensive facilitator guidelines and learner manuals specifically designed for SEQUIP-AEP. These materials cover various subjects including mathematics, biology, Kiswahili, English, physics, chemistry, and life skills. More than 3,000 copies of the facilitator guidelines and learner manuals have been printed and distributed to the 168 AEP learning centers. These resources are valuable tools in support of delivering quality education to the girls.
Conclusion
The SEQUIP-AEP is proving to play a critical role in the education of girls and young women. The IAE is demonstrating that adult education programs like SEQUIP-AEP provide teenage mothers with a second chance to complete their education. By doing so, these girls can overcome the obstacles that impede their pursuit of further learning, higher education and acquiring the skills needed to succeed in the job market. SEQUIP-AEP empowers teenage mothers to adopt a forward-looking approach, envisioning a better life for themselves and their families.
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