Urban education: Access to quality education in the urban informal settlements of Tanzania

Abstract

Urban education is emerging as a significant topic of discussion in Tanzania and other Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries, particularly focusing on the challenges faced by the population residing in impoverished urban areas. Learners from low-income households in urban settings encounter more difficulties in their educational journey compared to their more privileged counterparts. Tanzania, like many SSA nations, is undergoing substantial urbanization, marked by a notable rise in rural-to-urban migration, projected to reach approximately 55% of the country's population by 2050. Understanding the current state of urban education is crucial for developing plans to address the escalating demands of urban education in the future. The study aimed to address these issues through the following research questions: 1. What are the schooling patterns among children living in urban poor households in Tanzania including those with special needs? 2. How do urban poor communities perceive and understand education as a right in the context of urbanization in Tanzania? and, 3. What available education opportunities exist for children with special needs and living in poor urban households? In collaboration with HakiElimu and technical support from the National Bureau of Statistics, APHRC conducted a cross-sectional concurrent mixedmethods study. Quantitative data were gathered from 1,200 randomly selected low-income households in Dar es Salaam and Dodoma, along with input from 98 educational institutional heads from schools enrolling learners from the sampled households. Qualitative data were obtained through focus group discussions with caregivers/parents, in-depth interviews, and key informant interviews involving opinion leaders and policymakers. The study received ethical and administrative approvals from relevant authorities. Data analysis focused on 2,150 children aged 5-17, reflecting the basic education schooling age in Tanzania. A wealth score, derived from household belongings, was categorized into three equal tertiles for analysis purposes. The key results highlights have been presented below and thereafter a set of key study recommendations.