Investigation reveals students sleeping in class, escaping lessons to find food as school lacks feeding program UTENGULE WARD - The old saying "an empty stomach has no ears" takes on devastating meaning at Jitegemee Primary School, where students struggle to concentrate on lessons while dealing with hunger pangs that make learning nearly impossible. Joshua B. Mposa from the Rural Youth Collective discovered the extent of the crisis during August 2025 interviews with teachers, parents, students, and community leaders.

Masumbwe Ward, Mbogwe, Geita For Emmanuel Kavula, accessing the internet once meant walking to the district centre. Today, his smartphone is his gateway to advocacy and national policy discussions. Emmanuel reflects on a transformation made possible by the Education Out Loud (EOL) project, implemented through Policy Forum. His story illustrates what’s possible when access to technology is paired with the right training and support. In April 2023, Emmanuel was given a smartphone under the EOL initiative.

By Emmanuel Kavula | Mbogwe, Geita | July 10, 2025 School feeding and nutrition programs in Tanzania, particularly in rural areas, play a vital role in enhancing educational access, retention, health, and academic performance among children. This narrative paints a compelling picture of both the transformative potential and persistent challenges surrounding school food provision. The Critical Importance of School Feeding At the heart of this issue is the recognition that a hungry child cannot learn.

My name is Fadhili Thobias Mwalingo. I am a young person from Mbeya District, in the small town of Mbalizi, Nsalala Ward, Ndola Village, Darajani Street. I have been actively involved in the Education Out Loud project, funded by Kuyenda Collective, since 2022. Since joining this project, it has continuously built my capacity across various education sectors.

Theme: "Education Saves Lives - Protect Education in Emergencies"
Introduction
Tanzania's education system has faced numerous challenges in recent years, ranging from geopolitical instability to technological transformation. One of the most significant disruptions came with the COVID-19 pandemic, which exposed a deep digital divide across the country.