DODOMA: MORE than 1.39tri/- has been disbursed over the past three financial years to support the implementation of the fee-free basic education policy, with over 906bn/- allocated to secondary schools and 488bn/- to primary schools across the country.
Deputy Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (Regional Administration and Local Government), Dr Festo Dugange, told the National Assembly in Dodoma yesterday that the funds were released between the 2023/24 and 2025/26 financial years to facilitate school operations and improve the learning environment nationwide.
He was responding to a basic question from Mwita Waitara (Tarime Rural-CCM), who sought clarification on whether the government provides completely free education or education without tuition fees.
Dr Dugange said the government remains committed to implementing the fee-free basic education policy, under which parents and guardians are not required to pay school fees.
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He explained that the policy is guided by Education Circular No. 3 of 2016 on the implementation of fee-free basic education, which clearly outlines the responsibilities of stakeholders and the framework for voluntary contributions aimed at improving school infrastructure and learning conditions.
According to the deputy minister, a total of 488.19bn/- was disbursed to primary schools, while 906.69bn/- was allocated to secondary schools during the period under review.
Dr Dugange noted that the funds have significantly strengthened the implementation of the fee-free education programme while improving teaching and learning environment in schools across the country.
“The government will continue insisting that all education stakeholders adhere to established regulations, guidelines and procedures in order to strengthen teaching and learning conditions, expand access to education and further improve the quality of education in the country,” Dr Dugange added.