PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has announced that the government will begin constructing science secondary schools for boys after completing the ongoing project for girls, which is being implemented nationwide at a cost of 116bn/-.

Addressing residents in Kilindi District, Tanga Region after inaugurating Tanga Girls’ Secondary School, the president proposed renaming the school after the late Beatrice Shelukindo, a former MP and a staunch advocate for girls' education and women's rights.

She emphasized the government's commitment to advancing science education, noting that once the government has completed the project for girls it will focus on the boys. Although boys benefit significantly from vocational education and training centres and other technical schools, when it comes to science subjects, they are ahead, she said.

“That is why we have established these special schools for girls—to ensure they also feel they have equal opportunity to pursue science education," she stated.

Touring the school, the president expressed satisfaction with the presence of an ICT equipped classroom, affirming that digital skills are essential in today’s world.

She reiterated the government's commitment to providing a conducive learning environment, ensuring that girls not only access science education but also reduce long commuting to school.

The overall school project includes the construction of hostels—12 of which have been completed, while others are in the final stages—along with a computer laboratory, she said.

She also promised to tackle water shortages in the area, addressing concerns raised by members of Parliament from the region, pointing at the government's plan to connect Tanga and Singida regions via the phased construction of a 400-kilometer Kilindi-Singida road.

Prof. Adolf Mkenda, the Education, Science and Technology minister, said that the new school is aligned with the president’s directive to establish specialized schools focused on science and technical subjects.

The government has allocated 11bn/- under the Higher Education for Economic Transformation (HEET) programme to enhance facilitation in regions lacking university campuses where Tanga will soon host Mzumbe University campus. In total, 100bn/- has been set aside for these projects, he stated.

As part of her regional tour, President Samia also laid the foundation stone for the 28 Towns Water Project, which aims to improve water access in Handeni, Korogwe, Muheza, and Pangani districts. She expressed confidence that the initiative will enhance governance and service delivery.

In Kilindi District, President Samia reaffirmed her commitment to promoting girls' education in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), with the school being part of government plans to establish 26 girls’ secondary schools—one per region—to boost female participation in the subjects.