Long treks to school and their profound impact on students
Research findings published last year in the International Journal of Teaching, Learning and Education identifies inadequate public transport infrastructure—particularly in rural areas—as a key contributor to long distances students have to walk to and from school. PHOTO | FILE
Bagamoyo. The long distances students walk to and from school remain one of the most persistent challenges facing Tanzania’s education sector, raising concerns over access, performance and student welfare.
Education stakeholders say the problem is driven by a complex mix of factors, including geographical barriers, scattered settlement patterns among farming and pastoralist communities and the tendency by some parents to enrol children in high-performing schools regardless of distance. In many cases, schools are located far from residential areas, leaving pupils with little option but to walk for extended periods each day.
