The Reading Clubs project implemented by AKU’s Institute for Educational Development, East Africa continues to impact lives in Tanzania. The project recently expanded its reach to Manyara region, northern Tanzania.
Reading clubs have created safe, informal spaces in schools for children to freely engage with storybooks as they read for leisure and play sports. This has transformed students’ participation in classes and lowered rates of truancy.
A fifth-grade student at Kibaoni Primary School in Manyara, Lukuman Amri, said textbooks will improve their ability to read which will allow them to prepare better for their tests and final examinations.
Teachers have been equally optimistic saying that it has enhanced parental and community engagement in schools.
Salma Ndanu, a teacher at Magugu primary school in Manyara region said, “We thank the Aga Khan University for making this project a success, it will be among the catalysts to promote student professional development.”
The project has been well received by government officials at regional levels in the country. They have pledged to follow up closely on the progress of the schools participating in this project.
“The donation of books and sports equipment will benefit students in schools and promote professionalism. Students in Manyara region will build their academic capacity by reading books and acquire greater knowledge,” said Charles Makongoro Nyerere, Manyara Regional Commissioner.
To date, over 30,000 books have been donated to 91 schools in eight regions in Tanzania. This has been made possible through the generous support from the University’s Research Council, Office of the President and Provost.
The University plans to continue offering invaluable support to these schools to facilitate the spillover effect of reading for leisure to more institutions of learning. Due to the low number of literacy storybooks in the country, IED EA plans to collect stories from the participating schools and publish them in collaboration with the schools, communities and the Tanzania Institute of Education.