HakiElimu today has announced the appointment of Mary Mzubwa Ndaro as its next Executive Director. Ndaro, who was selected after a rigorous open search process, will take up her role with immediate effect.

Mary Mzubwa Ndaro is a Tanzanian leader and social scientist with nearly two decades of experience advancing gender equality, social justice, and inclusive development. She is known for sharp analysis, principled judgment, and a gift for building coalitions that bring civil society, government, media, and grassroots actors into constructive alignment. Her work spans girls’ education, democratic participation, accountability, and protection of vulnerable groups. Ndaro has held senior roles at ActionAid, CARE International, I4ID, and The Caravan, where she leads national storytelling and advocacy efforts highlighting the realities of women in informal sectors. She brings a grounded, lived-experience approach with steady integrity and strategic clarity, and has helped shape national conversations on constitutional reform, gender equality, and inclusive governance.

Ndaro holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology with specialization in Social Welfare from the University of Dar es Salaam and a master’s degree in Sociology from Wichita State University, USA.

“Ndaro is just the principled, courageous leader we need at this time”, said Sylvester Orao, Chair of HakiElimu’s Board. “She brings a fierce commitment to transforming education so that all children – girls and boys – learn real skills and strengthen values to build a just, equal and democratic society. She has demonstrated ability to build alliances across government, civil society and media, and can help bring our nation together to pursue shared purpose at this challenging time. We are so excited to have Ndaro join us as the new leader of HakiElimu”. 

On learning of her appointment Ndaro remarked, “Like many Tanzanians, I have followed HakiElimu’s work over many decades. I have been inspired by the organization’s commitment to strengthening quality and equity in education, including by advancing public awareness and participation in social change. When students and citizens are aware of their rights and responsibilities, and can be part of shaping our future, we can create something beautiful and powerful together. I am delighted to join HakiElimu as its new ED and look forward to learning and collaborating with the staff, board, members and partners to help realize the education we deserve.”

HakiElimu is a Tanzanian civil-society organization, founded in 2001 to push for an open, just, democratic Tanzania where everyone enjoys an education that promotes equity, creativity, and critical thinking. It facilitates the transformation of education, both in and out of schools, by influencing policymaking and effective implementation; stimulating public dialogue and social change; conducting research, policy analysis and advocacy; and collaborating with partners to advance participation, transparency, accountability and social justice. Previous executive directors of HakiElimu were Rakesh Rajani, Elizabeth Missokia and John Kalage.

The SAUTI ZETU Consortium, coordinated by HakiElimu, successfully convened a two-day Stakeholders Symposium in Morogoro on September 22–23, 2024. The event brought together Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and key Local Government Authorities (LGAs) for a high-level policy dialogue focused on strengthening the delivery of Inclusive Education (IE) in Tanzania.

The symposium aimed to:

1. Facilitate collaboration between CSOs and LGA representatives to assess the current state of Inclusive Education in their regions.
2. Share key findings from CSO-led monitoring activities, including the 2024 Public Expenditure Tracking Survey (PETS) and evaluations of the implementation of the National Strategy for Inclusive Education (NSIE).
3. Document progress, identify challenges, and highlight achievements of the SAUTI ZETU project across the target districts.

Participants included representatives from the five implementing CSOs operating in Mtwara, Mbeya, Bagamoyo, Ifakara, and Mvomero Districts, along with 25 officials from local government authorities including District Education Officers (DEOs), Special Needs Education Officers (SNEOs), Quality Assurance Officers, Head Teachers, and representatives from Educational Support and Resource Assessment Centers (ESRACs).

More than just an information-sharing event, the symposium fostered collaborative learning and action plans. It provided a strategic platform for stakeholders to jointly address systemic challenges in the education sector, with particular attention to inclusivity. A key outcome of the event was the development of localized Joint Action Plans, ensuring that commitments translate into tangible improvements on the ground.

The symposium underscored the power of collective action in transforming education systems. Moving forward, sustained engagement and robust monitoring of the agreed action plans will be vital in achieving the consortium’s shared vision: an inclusive, effective, and equitable education system that serves all learners in the participating districts.

Jumatano, Oktoba 01, 2025

Umoja wa Kitaifa wa Asasi za Kiraia wa Shule Salama (National Safe School Coalition - NSSC) ni mtandao wa mashirika zaidi ya 20 ya Kiraia (CSOs) uliozinduliwa Machi 2024, unaofanya kazi Tanzania Bara na Visiwani. Umoja huu umejikita katika kuhakikisha watoto wanapata mazingira salama ya kujifunzia na kukua bila ukatili, kwa kuhimiza jamii isiyokubali adhabu za viboko na aina zote za ukatili ndani na nje ya shule.

Kwa kutambua kuwa Taifa linaelekea katika Uchaguzi Mkuu mwezi Oktoba 2025, sisi Umoja wa Kitaifa wa Asasi za Kiraia wa Shule Salama (NSSC) tukishirikiana na wadau wa vyombo vya habari wanaojihusisha na elimu ya uraia na ustawi wa watoto, tunatoa wito huu wa dharura. Ni rai yetu ya pamoja kuwa usalama na ulinzi wa watoto lazima viwe kipaumbele katika kipindi chote cha uchaguzi.

Watoto Wapo Katika Hatari Kubwa Katika Vipindi vya Uchaguzi.

Sheria ya Mtoto ya mwaka 2009 na Sheria ya Watoto Na. 6 ya 2011 ya Zanzibar zinafafanua kuwa mtoto ni mtu mwenye umri chini ya miaka 18. Watoto wamekuwa miongoni mwa makundi yaliyo hatarini zaidi – kutokana na ama kuachwa bila uangalizi huku wazazi na walezi wakijihusisha na shughuli za uchaguzi au kutumika vibaya katika shughuli za kisiasa na kampeni.

Kipindi hiki pia huwaweka watoto katika hatari kubwa zaidi kutokana na mila potofu, ikiwa ni pamoja na imani za kishirikina. Watoto wenye ulemavu hasa wenye ualbino wamekuwa wakikumbana na ukatili mkubwa katika vipindi vya uchaguzi. Ukatili huu huleta hofu, mazingira yasiyo salama, athari za kisaikolojia, maumivu na hata vifo kwa watoto na familia zao.

Wito Muhimu wa Kuchukua ili kuwalinda Watoto

Kwa kuzingatia hali hii, sisi wanachama wa Umoja huu tunatoa wito ufuatao:

1. Mashirika ya Kiraia (AZAKI) na NGOs

Endeleeni kutoa elimu ya uraia na ya mpiga kura inayojumuisha ujumbe wa kulinda haki za watoto katika kampeni zote za elimu ya uraia. AZAKI na NGOs zitoe kipaumbele katika kuhamasisha umma kuhusu hatari maalum zinazowakabili watoto wakati wa uchaguzi mkuu. Ni wajibu wao kuripoti na kutunza kumbukumbu za ukiukwaji haki dhidi ya watoto, na kushirikiana na jamii ili kutoa huduma za msaada wa kisaikolojia na wa dharura inapohitajika ili kumlinda mtoto.

2. Vyombo vya Habari na Mitandao ya Kijamii

Toeni nafasi kwa sauti za watoto kwenye taarifa zenu na mijadala ya umma. Hakikisheni mnaepuka lugha au ujumbe unaoweza kueneza chuki dhidi ya watoto na jamii. Vyombo vya habari vina wajibu wa moja kwa moja wa kuendeleza mijadala ya kisiasa inayomlinda mtoto. Pia vihakikishe vinatoa majukwaa ya kuripoti kwa maadili na kushughulikia matukio ya ukatili dhidi ya watoto. Vyombo vya habari pia vitoe taarifa na kuhabarisha umma juu ya vyama, wagombea au taasisi zinazowatumia vibaya Watoto katika kipindi hiki, ikiwa ni pamoja na kuwanyima haki yao ya kujifunza kwa kuwatoa darasani ili wahudhulie mikutano ya kampeni.

3. Vyama vya Siasa na Wagombea

Toeni kipaumbele juu ya haki na mahitaji ya watoto katika kampeni zenu. Tunahimiza kila chama na mgombea kutoa mpango wao wa kulinda na kuhudumia haki za watoto kabla na baada ya uchaguzi, bila kujali matokeo ya ushindi au kushindwa. Masuala kama upatikanaji wa elimu bora, huduma za afya, ulinzi dhidi ya ukatili na ustawi wa kijamii yazingatiwe kwenye ilani na mipango yao kabla na baada ya kampeni. Ni wajibu wa wanasiasa kuheshimu haki za watoto na waepuke kuwatumia au kuwahusisha watoto kwenye shughuli za kisiasa, ikiwa ni pamoja na kuwasafirisha kutoka eneo moja hadi jingine kwa ajili ya mikutano ya kampeni.

4. Wazazi na Jamii

Wahakikishe usalama wa watoto hususani karibu na vituo vya kupigia kura, mikutano ya kampeni na mikusanyiko ya umma. Wazazi na jamii wana wajibu wa kuripoti matukio yoyote ya ukatili au vitisho dhidi ya watoto na kudai uwajibikaji katika kuheshimu haki za watoto wakati na baada ya uchaguzi. Kama wapiga kura, wazazi na jamii wawahoji wagombea kuhusu mipango yao ya kulinda watoto. Tunawahimiza wapiga kura wote kuwaeleza wagombea kwamba kura zao zinahusiana na dhamira ya kulinda watoto.

5. Kwa Serikali na Taasisi Zake (Polisi, Vyombo vya Usalama, Serikali za Mitaa na Kuu):

Wachukue hatua za mapema kuhakikisha usalama wa watoto wakati wa uchaguzi, hususan karibu na vituo vya kupigia kura, mikutano ya kampeni na mikusanyiko ya umma. Taasisi hizi zina jukumu la kuitikia haraka ukiukwaji wowote dhidi ya watoto na kutoa huduma za ulinzi na msaada zinazohitajika.

Mtoto Si Mgombea wala Mpiga Kura

Ikumbukwe kuwa, Mtoto mwenye umri chini ya miaka 18 haruhusiwi kisheria kushiriki uchaguzi Mkuu kwa namna yoyote iwe ya kupiga kura au kugombea. Kwa muktadha huu, hatutegemei kwa namna yoyote kumuona mtoto akishiriki katika kampeni au mikutano ya kisiasa kwaajili ya kampeni za uchaguzi huu Mkuu. Ni wajibu basi wa vyombo hivi kuwakumbusha na kuwasimamia wanachama au vyama vya kisaisa ambavyo kwa namna moja ama nyingine wanakiuka haki hii ya msingi ya kikatiba kwa Watoto.

Sisi wanachama wa Umoja wa Shule Salama tunatoa wito kuwa uchaguzi huu uwe alama ya uzingatiwaji wa haki za jamii na hususani Watoto. Suala la ulinzi na usalama wa mtoto ni suala la kitaifa linalovuka mipaka ya itikadi zetu za vyama, ni suala la ulinzi wa taifa la kesho na hivyo ni muhimu kuwa na nia moja na wivu mkubwa kulinda tabaka hili la Watoto na taifa la kesho. Watoto wanastahili kukua kwa amani, bila hofu na wakiwa wamezungukwa na watu wazima wanaolinda haki zao. Tunatoa rai kwa wananchi wote kuwa macho, wenye huruma na kuchukua hatua kuhakikisha hakuna mtoto anayeachwa kwenye hatari wakati huu muhimu wa Uchaguzi Mkuu wa 2025.

Umetayarishwa na kutolewa na wanachama wa Umoja huu:

Kaya Foundation, HakiElimu, Save the Children, SAWA Morogoro, MTWANGONET, Msichana Initiative, ZAFELA, TAMWA, ZALHO, WILDAF, My LEGACY, CDF, Child Support Tanzania, HGWT, ZCRF, TCRF, ZAPHA+, Children in Cross Fire, Amani Girls Organization, Women Fund Tanzania Trust, Shule Direct, TENMET & CAMFED.

HakiElimu is honored to host 13 young leaders out of 100 participating in the "NextGen Leaders Program", a Youth Leadership Capacity Building initiative conducted in collaboration between ALII and HakiElimu.

During the official welcome, Mr. Godfrey Boniventura, Acting Executive Director and Head of Programs at HakiElimu, commended the young leaders for identifying and pursuing their aspirations at an early age. He encouraged them to remain steadfast in their vision, reminding them that challenges are part of the journey and should not deter them from their goals.

As part of the two-day engagement, the participants received a guided tour to learn about HakiElimu’s work and its contribution to advancing education in Tanzania. In addition, they took part in an introductory leadership training focused on the education sector, delivered by HakiElimu staff.

The training emphasized the importance of:

• Understanding their role as vital connectors across all leadership sectors;
• Developing critical thinking skills to drive innovation and improvement in education;
• Identifying key educational challenges and strategies to effectively address them.

The visit and training were held on 11th and 12th September 2025 at the Tafakari Hall, located within HakiElimu’s offices in Dar es Salaam.

At HakiElimu, we believe that every child regardless of gender deserves access to quality, inclusive education. However, creating truly equitable learning environments requires more than just policies and goodwill. It demands deliberate, coordinated action especially from those who shape education systems at the grassroots level. That’s why, through our Gender and Education Transformative (GET) project, we are working closely with Local Government Authorities (LGAs) to ensure that gender equality is embedded at the core of education planning and budgeting.

Why Local Government Matters

In Tanzania, the implementation of education policies falls under the Regional Administration and Local Government (RALG). LGAs are not merely administrators rather they play a critical role in translating national gender equality commitments into tangible changes at the community level. Without their active involvement, meaningful progress remains out of reach.

Recognizing this crucial role, HakiElimu recently convened a four-day stakeholders’ engagement meeting at Nashera Hotel in Dodoma. The reflection session brought together 40 officials from eight GET project councils: Musoma, Muleba, Babati, Iramba, Korogwe, Mpwapwa, Kilosa, and Mkuranga. The objective was to strengthen the participants’ capacity to implement gender-responsive practices in education planning and service delivery.

Building Skills, Identifying Gaps, Driving Change

During the sessions, participants engaged deeply with the concept of gender equality in education. They explored key gender concepts, assessed how gender biases may be present in existing education plans, and learned practical strategies for integrating gender considerations into their daily work.

A significant part of the workshop involved reviewing the 2024/25 and 2025/26 education plans and budgets to identify areas where gender issues were overlooked. Based on these insights, participants collaboratively developed a Gender Mainstreaming Framework to guide their actions through 2027/28. This framework is not just a strategic document it is a roadmap toward more inclusive and effective governance.

Participants came from a diverse range of departments, including Planning, Community Development, Social Welfare, and Education, representing both primary and secondary school levels. This diversity promoted a comprehensive and inclusive discussion, reinforcing that achieving gender equity is a shared responsibility across all sectors.

Voices from the Field

The workshop left a lasting impression on participants; many of whom reflected on the new knowledge and perspectives they had gained.

"I have learned about gender equality because I had a deep desire for this issue to be given high priority. I will personally prioritize implementing gender equality in all of my activities." Perpetua Mgasi, Kilosa

"What I liked most was the issue of gender-responsive budgeting is something I previously wasn’t aware of, never practiced, nor even thought about. It is a very important agenda in promoting gender equality, starting from our families and extending to society as a whole." Lilian B. Kiyenze, District Social Welfare Officer, Muleba

These reflections underscore an important truth that when officials are empowered with the right tools and understanding, they become influential agents of change in their communities.

Looking Ahead

The journey towards gender transformative education is neither quick nor easy but it is one worth pursuing. Progress is being made step by step, plan by plan, and budget by budget. At HakiElimu, we are committed to walking this path alongside our local government partners, ensuring that national commitments translate into meaningful change at the grassroots level.

Our continued support through the GET project goes beyond capacity building. It is about empowering LGAs to become champions of equality, inclusion, and justice. Because real transformation does not happen in policy papers, it happens when leaders at all levels take committed action to make education work for every child.

Julai 10, 2025, HakiElimu ilipata heshima ya kipekee kutembelewa na Mwanaharakati maarufu kutoka nchini Pakistan na mshindi mwenye umri mdogo zaidi wa Tuzo ya Amani ya Nobel, Malala Yousafzai anayejulikana kwa kazi yake ya utetezi wa haki ya wasichana.

Akiwa HakiElimu, Malala ambaye aliambatana na ujumbe kutoka Malala Fund alipata wasaa wa kuongoza mjadala ulioangazia fursa na vikwazo dhidi ya mtoto wa kike ukihusisha washiriki kutoka mashirika manne yanayofadhiliwa na Malala Fund ambayo ni HakiElimu, Msichana Initiative, Hope 4 Young Girls, na Mtandao wa Elimu Tanzania (TEN/MET).

Ziara ya Malala katika ofisi za HakiElimu ni hatua muhimu ya ushirikiano unaoendelea kati ya shirika la HakiElimu na Malala Fund, ushirikiano ambao unalenga kuendeleza elimu ya wasichana nchini Tanzania. Kupitia ushirikiano huu, HakiElimu kwa sasa inatekeleza mradi ujulikanao kama Education Champion Network (ECN) mradi unaolenga kuboresha mazingira jumuishi ya ujifunzaji, na salama kwa wasichana katika shule 60 zilizoko kwenye wilaya 11 za Muleba, Mpwapwa, Kigoma, Njombe, Mbeya, Kilosa, Manispaa ya Tabora, Iramba, Musoma, Korogwe, na Moshi.

Mradi wa ECN unawanufaisha moja kwa moja wanafunzi 11,772 (wasichana 8,116 na wavulana 3,656) kupitia afua zinazolenga kuboresha matokeo ya kielimu na kuhakikisha kuwa hakuna mtoto anayeachwa nyuma katika safari ya elimu.

Kupitia mradi huu HakiElimu inafanya kazi ya utetezi wa sera na uzalishaji wa tafiti zitakazosaidia kufanya maamuzi ya kisera sambamba na hili pia unalenga kuimarisha uwezo wa mamlaka za serikali za mitaa na uongozi wa shule katika kuzuia ukatili dhidi ya watoto ikiwa ni pamoja na kupinga mila na desturi zenye madhara hasi kwa wasichana ili kuwawezesha wasichana waliotengwa kijamii kuendelea na masomo na kutimiza ndoto zao za kielimu.

On July 10, 2025, HakiElimu had the distinct honour of hosting Malala Yousafzai, the youngest-ever Nobel Peace Prize laureate and a renowned Pakistani education activist and girls' rights advocate. Leading a delegation from the Malala Fund, Malala moderated a "Learning Session" that featured panelists representing four Tanzanian bases Malala Fund grantees: HakiElimu, Msichana Initiative, Hope 4 Young Girls, and the Tanzania Education Network (TEN/MET).

Malala's visit to HakiElimu signifies a crucial step in our ongoing partnership with the Malala Fund, dedicated to advancing girls' education. Through this collaboration, HakiElimu is currently implementing the Education Champion Network (ECN) project.

This initiative strives to cultivate inclusive, safe, and high-quality learning environments for girls in 60 schools across 11 districts: Muleba, Mpwapwa, Kigoma, Njombe, Mbeya, Kilosa, Tabora Municipal, Iramba, Musoma, Korogwe, and Moshi.

The project directly benefits 11,772 students (8,116 girls and 3,656 boys) through interventions designed to improve educational outcomes and ensure that no child is left behind. The ECN initiative goes beyond direct student support, actively engaging in policy advocacy and generating evidence to inform decision-making. It also focuses on strengthening the capacity of local governments and school leadership to prevent violence against children. The project challenges harmful social norms and empowers marginalized girls to remain in school and fulfil their educational aspirations.

HakiElimu inashirikiana na Taasisi ya Benjamin Mkapa, taasisi iliyopewa dhamana na Tume ya Taifa ya Mipango kuongoza uchambuzi wa kina (Deep Dive Sessions) katika Nguzo ya Uwezo wa Watu na Maendeleo ya Jamii, ambayo inajumuisha afya, elimu na uhifadhi wa jamii.

Kupitia ushirikiano huu, HakiElimu inaongoza uchambuzi katika eneo la Elimu, likihusisha sekta mbalimbali kama vile elimu ya awali, msingi, sekondari, amali na ufundi, watu wazima, elimu ya ualimu, elimu ya juu, elimu jumuishi, na mfumo wa uongozi na utawala. Lengo la uchambuzi huu ni kutathmini hali ya sasa ya elimu nchini, kuweka vipaumbele vya maendeleo, kubaini fursa za uwekezaji, na kupendekeza maboresho yatakayoleta mageuzi katika elimu kuelekea Dira ya Taifa ya 2050.

Uchambuzi huu pia unalenga kuandaa Mantiki ya Mabadiliko (Log Frame) au Nadharia ya Mabadiliko (Theory of Change) itakayosaidia kuongoza utekelezaji wa mabadiliko haya kwa mafanikio