Non Formal Education and Poverty Reduction in Tanzania: A Case Study of Catholic Nuns’ Institutions in Kilimanjaro Region

Abstract

This paper is based on a study that examines how Catholic Nun’s institutions (CNIs) use non-formal education (NFE) to reduce poverty in Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania. The article analyzes how CNIs provide NFE to bring about social development in Kilimanjaro communities. The study employed the theory of Constructivism to ascertain participatory and collaborative methods as principles of teaching youths and adults in CNIs. The study revealed that after attainment of independence in Tanzania, missionary institutions were also obliged to adhere to government's education policy and regulations in their running of educational institutions. Such changes made CNIs form another way of providing non-formal education. Furthermore, due to technological advancement, the changes in teaching methodology ushered in the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). This caused CNIs to face lack of qualified and enough teachers. Lack of NFE therefore is the source of missing self-employment and confidence to create new skills for reducing poverty. The study concludes that NFE provided by CNIs in Kilimanjaro communities have been supportive to social development. The study insists that CNIs should upgrade their provision of non-formal education which can bring economic changes and facilitate the achievement of high standards of life in Kilimanjaro and elsewhere.