REGIONAL secretariats and local authorities have been directed to provide accurate weekly data on school enrollment and attendance at pre-school, primary and secondary levels.

Mohammed Mchengerwa, the Regional Administration and Local Governments state minister in the President’s Office (PO-RALG), issued this directive at a handover of 18 classrooms costing upwards of 300m/- in Bahi District over the weekend.

He also presented awards to journalists for coverage of the ‘best schools; project, affirming that officials at all levels need to ensure that those selected for Form One report to school.

All eligible children must be enrolled at the required age, including those with disabilities, he said, extolling current efforts where today’s generation will witness the growth of the country’s education system. The number of those in school has risen from 10m to 13m, with 40.3bn/- allocated for free education this financial year, he said.

Accurate enrollment and attendance data has been provided to PO-RALG every Friday, he said, asking the Bahi District Council to ensure proper maintenance of the new classrooms so they can last for many years.

The ‘best schools’ project was launched by UK deputy minister Vicky Ford on April 4, 2022 in Kibaha, Coast Region, geared to improve teaching and learning in early childhood and primary education across nine regions.

The three-year project was focused on learning, teaching, inclusivity and strengthening educational systems, with achievements registered ranging from training 4,944 teachers in 19 districts on the relevant guidelines and 6,937 teachers in 29 districts on improving learning outcomes, the minister noted.

Additionally, 1,747 teachers and education officials were put to training, while a children’s readiness programme helped 79 teaching assistants support over 5,500 children, he stated.

Rosemary Senyamule, the regional commissioner, reported significant improvements in primary and secondary school performance, as well as a reduction in pupil absenteeism from 24,000 to 6,000 at primary school level.

Mtemi Zongwe, the regional project coordinator, said implementing the project contributed 5.7bn/- to the education sector across 67 district authorities.