Graduation costs: Parents query the need of academic robes for children

By Adonis Byemelwa , The Guardian
Published at 06:00 AM Jan 15 2025
As many parents and students continue to grapple with the financial strain of graduation ceremonies, the government and educational institutions must reconsider the practice of requiring academic robes for lower education levels.
Photo: File
As many parents and students continue to grapple with the financial strain of graduation ceremonies, the government and educational institutions must reconsider the practice of requiring academic robes for lower education levels.

AS Tanzanians recover from the costs of celebrating Christmas and the New Year, many parents are still grappling with the financial strain brought on by graduation ceremonies.

While these events are meant to mark the academic achievements of students, the costs associated with them have become a cause for concern.

 A major part of the problem is the rising cost of academic robes, which are now being worn by children as young as those in preschool. In some schools, the traditional academic robes have been replaced by expensive tailored suits, costing between 80,000/- and 100,000/- depending on the quality. 

For many parents, this has become an added financial burden on top of the usual expenses of school fees and other contributions.

Devotha Paul, a parent whose child graduated from Form Four in Shinyanga, expressed her frustration about the growing costs. 

"I’m surprised at how these robes have become a requirement. You feel forced to buy one without asking any questions. If your child doesn’t wear one, they’ll look out of place, and after spending years paying school fees and contributing to various funds, you feel like you just need to get this over with to avoid extra costs. Renting a robe can cost up to 50,000/-, and if you’re forced to buy one, it could cost as much as 100,000/-," she said.

The use of academic robes has a long history, dating back to medieval Europe. The tradition originated in Islamic educational institutions. In the 9th century, the first university in Europe was established in Salerno, Italy, by Muslims. 

This university was a continuation of the intellectual institutions found in the Middle East, which were known for their advancements in science and education. 

As European students attended these institutions, they not only acquired knowledge but also adopted certain cultural practices, including the wearing of specific clothing, which symbolized academic achievement.

 Upon returning to their own countries, these students continued the tradition of wearing robes during graduation ceremonies, marking a student’s academic status.

By the 12th and 13th centuries, European universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, and Bologna had adopted the practice of wearing robes. 

At these universities, robes were used to distinguish students and signify their academic achievements. These garments were seen as symbols of high social status, as they were primarily worn by the educated elite. Over time, universities in Europe began to use robes in varying colors and designs to represent different academic levels, creating a visual hierarchy within the academic world.

In Africa, the tradition of wearing academic robes was introduced during the colonial era. Colonizers used these symbols as part of the education system they imposed, making robes a representation of progress and modernity.

 However, some African leaders, such as Julius Nyerere, rejected the idea, associating it with colonialism and the elitist systems it represented. Nyerere famously criticized the use of academic robes, comparing them to “the turban of the colonizer,” and argued that the use of such symbols perpetuated the social divide between the educated elite and the rest of the population.

In 2016, Professor Joyce Ndalichako, the then Minister of Education, Science, Technology, and Vocational Training, made a controversial statement calling for a ban on the use of academic robes for students in primary and secondary schools in Tanzania. 

According to her, robes should only be worn by students graduating from higher education, as they are a symbol of significant academic achievement. "Academic robes should be reserved for university graduates because they are a symbol of the attainment of higher learning. Using them in lower levels of education diminishes their value," she stated.

Her announcement, however, was met with mixed reactions. Many were shocked that the statement was not accompanied by any official policy or directive from the government. Some parents and teachers supported her stance, agreeing that robes at lower education levels were unnecessary and a financial burden. 

However, others, particularly in private schools, continued to require students to wear robes during their graduation ceremonies. Parents, especially those from lower-income families, were left to bear the cost of buying or renting these garments, sometimes under pressure to meet the expectations of the school or their peers.

One of the issues raised by critics of the robe-wearing tradition in schools is the financial strain it places on families. Esther Mwakalinga, a second-year law student at the University of Dar es Salaam, explained that the cost of robes and suits for graduation ceremonies is a heavy burden for many families. "Many families struggle to meet basic needs, so having to pay for robes for ceremonies that hold little educational value becomes an unnecessary financial burden," she said. She went on to explain that for some families, the inability to afford these expenses leads to feelings of shame, especially when they cannot keep up with the costs that other families can afford.

Students themselves also have mixed feelings about the practice. Chacha Mwita, a third-year student at Sokoine University of Agriculture in Morogoro, shared his perspective on the use of robes for younger students.

 "Academic regalia are supposed to represent significant academic achievements, especially at higher levels, like university graduation. Having young children in preschool or primary school wear them undermines the meaning of these garments. It becomes more about the ceremony than the actual achievement," Chacha said.

Despite the controversy, many students still see the use of robes as an important part of the graduation experience. 

For them, the robes serve as a symbol of their academic progress. Denis Daudi, a Form Four graduate in Kahama, stated, "I don’t mind wearing the robe. It’s a sign of achievement, and it shows that even in our family, we have scholars. The photos we take during the ceremony are important because they capture this milestone."

Dr. Eliawony Meena, a former lecturer at Tumaini University Makumira, also weighed in on the debate, recalling a time when wearing robes was considered a prestigious symbol of academic success. He explained that, during the colonial era, graduates were expected to wear robes as they embarked on their teaching careers, setting them apart from others. 

"When I graduated in the colonial era, I had to wear a robe, even though I was starting my teaching career. At that time, education was highly valued, and wearing the robe was a sign of distinction. Now, even young children wear robes without understanding their significance," Dr. Meena said.

Despite the strong opinions surrounding the use of academic robes, the issue remains unresolved. Many schools continue to require their students to wear robes, particularly private institutions that feel the tradition should be maintained. However, for those who oppose the practice, the concern is clear: the value of academic robes has been diminished by their widespread use.

The debate over graduation attire in Tanzania is not just about the cost of robes but also about the deeper cultural and educational values they represent.

 On one hand, the robes are a way to celebrate academic achievement, but on the other hand, they have become a symbol of social division and financial pressure. As the conversation continues, it’s clear that the need for reform is urgent. Tanzania must find a way to preserve the integrity of its educational traditions without placing unnecessary burdens on families.

As many parents and students continue to grapple with the financial strain of graduation ceremonies, the government and educational institutions must reconsider the practice of requiring academic robes for lower education levels. 

It is important to remember that the purpose of education is to foster intellectual growth, not to impose additional financial hardships on families. By adopting a more sensible approach, Tanzania can celebrate academic success without losing sight of the larger goal of providing accessible, quality education for all.