Compulsory enrolment for education

I am a Tanzanian, 50 years of age living in Ruvuma. My son completed his secondary school education (O-level) in 2025. He performed well but due to financial difficulties, I could not manage to afford expenses for his high school. Some of my neighbours have been consistently telling me that I should get prepared to go to jail, for failure to take my son to high school is an offence. How is this possible? Kindly guide me.

DM, Ruvuma

Thank you for your intriguing question which, at the outset and as we indicate in our response, seems to combine legal and moral elements. In Tanzania, it is not an offence for a parent’s failure to enroll their children for high school studies. Under Tanzanian law, compulsory enrollment and the associated criminal penalties for non-compliance strictly apply only to primary education. Other education levels, above primary education, are thus legally optional. Specifically, in terms of section 35(1) of the Education Act, Cap. 353 [R.E. 2023], it is compulsory for every child who has reached the age of 7 years to be enrolled for primary education. We are not aware of a parallel provision in this Act making enrollment for high school studies compulsory.

In accordance with Primary School (Compulsory Enrolment and Attendance) Rules, 2002, in particular, rule 4(1), any parent who fails to enroll their child for primary school commits an offence which is punishable by fine in the case of a first offence and imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both in the case of a second offence. Based on these provisions of the law, compulsory enrollment only applies to primary education, and not higher levels of education. However, considering the importance of education to human life, we advise you to pull it up to have your child enrolled to high school for his future betterment. You can attempt to approach Government offices in your localities. They might help you or connect you to someone capable and interested in education funding. All the best.