Reality behind smiles : Situation in Dar es Salaam Public Primary Schools

1. Reality behind smiles: Situation in Dar es Salaam Public Primary Schools Evidence from a survey of 40 schools in Ilala, Temeke and Kinondoni Municipalities Pictures and presentation by Chiku Lweno

2. Spending on primary education has increased for years Nominal spending on primary education, per pupil Source: Basic Education Statistics, 2010 • Does all this money ensure that our children now learn in an adequate school environment?

3. Working the numbers • The Government-budgets capitation and development Grants for use by the schools. • But what arrives at school is very little. For example, capitation grant is stated in policy as USD 10. PETS show however that: -Schools received capitation grant of TZS. 4,189 per pupil in 2007/08; & TZS 5,400 per pupil between 2002 and 2003. • To parents capitation grant means no more school contributions. • To head teachers, because the money that arrives is very little, dificulty running schools efficiently. Kurasini Primary School : Capitation grant receipt and use notice board

4. Consequences of money not arriving Too few class rooms and large class size Shortage of books Poor sanitation facilities Poor quality of buildings Shortage of desks Inadequate space around schools Lack of/shortage of playgrounds and sports equipment

5. Shortage desks In 45% of the schools visited pupils sit on the floor

6. Large class size The average class size was 81. Some schools have classrooms with more than 140 pupils.

7. Shortage of books • Average textbook : pupil ratio • 1:5 in lower primary school classes. • 1:6 in upper primary school classes.

8. Poor sanitation On average 96 pupils have to share a latrine. Msisiri primary school: Plastic toilets that a child finds unfit to step in for more privacy

9. Poor quality buildings

10. Some schools do better ... But often thanks to support of NGOs, and individuals who have made donations.

11. Conclusion • With 153,900 Shillings budgeted per pupil, schools should do better than they do now • Some important money, capitation grants especially, does not seem to arrive at the school as promised • As a consequences: • Desks are absent • Books and teaching materials are too few • Could someone explain how money budgeted for our schools is actually spent? Pictures and presentation by Chiku Lweno

12. Together we can give them better education Monitoring Dar es Salaams public schools was supported by Uwazi under its What’s Going on Program. The views expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of Uwazi or Twaweza Pictures and presentation by Chiku Lweno