Tanzania, March 3 -- Dar es Salaam. The escalating dropout rates in Tanzanian classrooms, particularly in Standard Four and Form Two, have emerged as a critical concern among education stakeholders.

This worrisome trend has sparked intense debate, prompting experts to delve into the underlying causes and propose viable solutions. At the heart of the discourse lies the impact of assessment exams and the punitive measures associated with failing and repeating classes.

Official 2022 data revealed that 56,361 Standard Four students and 53,932 Form Two students dropped out of school, making the classes the epicentre of the dropout crisis in the country.

The classes coincide with national assessments, namely the Standard Four National Assess...