Until November 2021, teenage mothers were banned from continuing their education in public schools, and even now there are few public schools that meet their needs.
Here at Tumaini Open School we are bringing about change
We have set up an inclusive learning center in Tabora, Tanzania to help these girls regain their education goals and eventually access higher education, vocational and other technical training. Such Alternative Education Pathways (AEPs) are a proven model of enabling teenage mothers to continue an education.
Continuing Stigma
Although the government of Tanzania has recently lifted the ban that was hindering adolescent mothers from continuing their education in public schools, few public schools meet their needs. Also, the experience of teenage mothers is surrounded by stigma because Tanzanian society is largely patriarchal and regards girls who get pregnant while in school as immoral. For this reason, also because of poverty, many teenage mothers lack support from their families.
Our School
Tumaini Education Program is an inclusive learning center that enrolls teenage mothers who are excluded by the public school system before they have taken basic education qualifications. It operates as an open school to offer basic education and vocational skills for adolescent mothers who sit for national examinations and have the chance of proceeding with higher studies, training and or engaging in entrepreneurship.
Making a difference
Tumaini School is a sustainable learning center that will enroll up to 600 teenage mothers each year. It gives teenage mothers a second chance and restores their right to access higher education. Our model learning center can be replicated by other stakeholders wishing to support the thousands of girls who drop out of schools due to pregnancy.
