Factors Causing Gender Inequality in Education in Tanzania: A Case of Korogwe District Secondary Schools

Education is the most important instrument for human resource development. Education is becoming a universal human right and an important component of women empowerment. Gender inequality in education is a serious problem in Tanzania since independence in 1961. There is still lower enrolment rate for girls and higher dropout rates than their male counterparts in Tanzania. This study explored factors causing gender inequality in education in Korogwe district’s secondary schools. The study was conducted in Korogwe District using qualitative design. Forty three respondents were involved in the study through interview and focus group discussion. The findings indicated that inequality in access to education in Korogwe district secondary schools is caused by various factors including poverty, inadequate school infrastructure such as hostels and dormitories, lack o toilets and special room for matured girls, long distance from home to school and lack of sex education and early pregnancies. These are as barriers to equality in accessing to education. Furthermore sexual harassment of girls by male teachers and community members, bad socio-cultural practices such as early and forced marriage, dowry, polygamy, ushashi and kugeleka practices prevent hundreds of girls in Korogwe district to access education. The study further found that lack of access to education for girls and women lead to poverty, increase of infancy and child mortality rate, employment of women in informal sectors as well as increase of fertility rate. The study established strategies to bring equality in education in Korogwe district including gender mainstreaming in teacher training colleges, change of negative-cultural beliefs and attitudes through mass education, protection of women and girls from violence by establishment of strict laws, increase of girl’s enrolment and guidance and counseling programs