Over 28,000 Tanzanian girls drop out of education in 4 years
30/12/2009
More than 28,000 girl of school age dropped out of school over a period of four years, it has been discovered.
Overall, 28,600 youngsters left school before their education was completed from 2004 to 2008, according to statistics compiled by the ministry of education and vocational training, reported AllAfrica.com.
Of these, 17,000 students were from primary schools and 11,600 were in secondary schools, the data showed.
In 2006, 5.6 per cent of these girls left school due to falling pregnant - a drop from the 6.2 per cent reported in 2004.
"Enrolment in secondary education is one of the indicators of goal three of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which emphasizes promotion of gender equality and women's empowerment," Dr Ad Koekkoek, the Netherlands ambassador to Tanzania, is quoted as stating.
Meanwhile, Tanzania is set to receive more aid towards its budget, Reuters reported in November, with funds set to be spent on improving the country's economy, employment market and infrastructure.
Written by Simon Bassett
