Government Steps Up Efforts to Boost 3Rs in Primary Schools

Government Steps Up Efforts to Boost 3Rs in Primary Schools

Theme: Promoting Literacy in the Digital Era

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania – The Government of the United Republic of Tanzania has reaffirmed its strong commitment to eliminating illiteracy in primary schools by strengthening the teaching and learning of the three core skills: reading, writing, and arithmetic (3Rs).

The announcement was made during the World Reading Day festival, held recently at Kilamba Primary School in Temeke, Dar es Salaam. The festival, organized by Room to Read, brought together a wide range of education stakeholders, including officials from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, the Ministry of Regional Administration and Local Government (RALG), Temeke Municipality, teachers, students, parents, publishers, and civil society organization’s.

Government’s Commitment

Ms Lilian Kazenga, Chief School Quality Assurer for Temeke Municipal Council, said the government is determined to ensure that all children in primary schools master basic literacy and numeracy during their early years.

“It is the government’s intention to make sure every child can read, write, and count with confidence. These are the foundations of learning that will help children to better understand other subjects, perform well in examinations, and succeed in life,” Ms Kazenga said.

She further noted that strengthening the 3Rs is central to Tanzania’s broader education reform agenda, which prioritises quality education for all. She also commended Room to Read for supporting the government’s efforts, adding that the collaboration has already contributed significantly to fostering a reading culture among children and their communities.

Room to Read’s Role

Room to Read’s Country Director, Ms Joan-Ndaambuyo Minja, highlighted the organization’s partnership with the Tanzanian government in implementing foundational literacy programmers for over a decade.

“We have been working hand-in-hand with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, the Tanzania Institute of Education (TIE), Baraza la Kiswahili la Taifa, councils, and schools across many regions to improve literacy outcomes. Together, we are making great strides in supporting the government’s literacy agenda,” Ms Minja said.

She revealed that, in collaboration with local publishers, Room to Read has:

• Printed and distributed 1,474,764 children’s books reflecting Tanzanian culture, language, and values.

• Supported the establishment and improvement of 392 libraries nationwide to provide safe and engaging learning spaces for children.

• Launched a digital library platform, “Literacy Cloud,” which provides access to quality children’s reading materials online.

Ms Minja emphasized that all the books distributed were reviewed and approved by the Tanzania Institute of Education (TIE) before publication to ensure alignment with national education standards.

Celebrating World Reading Day

The World Reading Day festival, celebrated globally, this year carried the theme: “Promoting Literacy in the Digital Era.” In Tanzania, the celebrations included storytelling sessions, reading competitions, cultural performances, and exhibitions that highlighted innovative ways to promote literacy among children in both urban and rural areas.

Stakeholders who attended the event agreed that early investments in literacy not only benefit individual learners but also contribute to Tanzania’s social and economic development.

Call to Action

The government and its partners called upon parents, communities, and the private sector to play a more active role in cultivating a culture of reading at home and in society. They also reaffirmed that literacy is a shared responsibility requiring strong collaboration between government, schools, development partners, and families.

About Room to Read

Room to Read is a global non-profit organization working to transform the lives of millions of children through education. In Tanzania, the organization has been operating for over a decade, implementing literacy programmer in partnership with government institutions, schools, and local publishers. Its mission is to ensure every child has the opportunity to learn to read and develop a love for reading.

For More Information, Please Contact:

Ministry of Education, Science and Technology
Education Communications Office
P.O. Box 9121, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
📧 info@moe.go.tz | ☎ +255 22 123 4567

Room to Read Tanzania
Communications & Partnerships Office
P.O. Box 3456, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
📧 tanzania@roomtoread.org | ☎ +255 22 765 4321