Secondary School Education among Girls from Pastoral Communities: A Case of Barbaig in Hanang District, Manyara Region of Tanzania

Abstract

Access to education for girls in many societies faces significant  challenges as as girls viewed as inferior to boys. However, little is known about secondary education among girls from pastoral communities and their access to schooling. Therefore, this paper shed light girls  secondary education among Barbaig pastoral community in Hanang District, Manyara Region of Tanzania.Specifically, the study examined challenges gorls face in accessing secondary education in their area. The study used cross-sectional research design and involved 210 girls students from Chief Gejaru, Mwahu and Dirma secondary schools. Proportional and simple random sampling techniques were used to obtain respondents for this study. Data were collected throug interview, focus group discussion and documentary review. Qualitative and quantitative approaches were used in data analysis. The results revealed that; shortage of facilities and services for girls, families' low economic status, harmful gender norms, traditions and customs, early marriage and pregnancies, long distance from home to school, parents desire for wealth, nomadic lifestyle and large family size were among the identified challenges. The study recommended  that; Education Department in Hanang District should implement educational policies that ensure availability of sufficient resources for girls in secondary schools. Furthermore, community leaders should insist the importance of secondary education for girls. This will be possible if local authorities will collaborate with relevant  stakeholders including Non-governmental organisations in  addressing educational  challenges facing girls in secondary schools.