STUDENTS WITHOUT DESKS, DED WARNS ‘THIS ELECTION YEAR, DO NOT REPORT’

Children Studying on the Floor: A Heartbreaking Scene from Kinangali, Kongwa

In a heartbreaking scene, a video showing a large group of students from Kinangali Primary School, located in Kibaigwa Ward, Kongwa District in Dodoma region, studying while sitting on the floor without desks has gone viral. This situation not only undermines the dignity of Tanzanian children but also contradicts the nation’s commitment to inclusive and quality education for all.

The images of children crowded on the classroom floor have raised serious concerns about their safety, the learning environment, and the future of education in rural areas. When we say education is a right for every child, do we mean that right for all children — or only those in urban areas?

Leaders Respond With Silence

Efforts by Jambo TV to get comments from the school were blocked after the headteacher refused to speak without permission from the District Director. Kongwa District Director, Dr. Omary Nkullo, acknowledged the problem, explaining that the large yearly increase in student numbers has overwhelmed the school’s infrastructure.

However, his statement, accompanied by a call to avoid reporting the issue extensively at this time — because it is an election year — raises many questions. Should children’s rights wait until after political campaigns? Should we turn a blind eye to reality out of fear of “political interpretations”?

Rural Children Must Not Be Forgotten

The issue of inadequate school infrastructure has long plagued many rural areas, but this incident is a stark reminder that there is still a long way to go before quality education is accessible to all. Local governments, communities, and development partners must work sincerely to address this problem—not because of fear of media exposure, but because these children deserve better.

Responsibility for the Future of Rural Children

While some urban children study in classrooms equipped with proper desks, sufficient books, and digital tools, the children of Kinangali are forced to learn sitting on the floor. This disparity should shock us, awaken us, and motivate us to take action—as a nation, a society, and as human beings.