December Under the Tanzanian Sun

Time for reflection, reunions, and dreams for the future.

In Tanzania, the school year does not follow the same rhythm as in France. Here, it begins in January and ends in December, following the civil calendar. Students return to school just after the end-of-year holidays, while in France people are preparing for Epiphany! The year is divided into three terms, separated by short breaks in April and August, and a longer holiday in December.

End-of-Year Holidays Under the Sun

In December, while Europe wraps itself in cold, Tanzanian children enjoy their long summer break, usually from early December to mid-January. For many students, it is a time to return to their villages, reunite with family, and participate in farm work. Others help at home, care for younger siblings, or take part in community activities organized by parishes or local associations.

Exams and Transitions

Before they can fully relax, students must take their end-of-year exams, which are very important in Tanzania. Each grade concludes with a national evaluation, and certain transitions are particularly decisive:

• In Standard 7 (end of primary school), an exam determines entry into secondary school.

• In Form 4 (end of lower secondary), another exam selects which students can continue into higher secondary education.

These exams, often dreaded, mark the end of a cycle and bring pride to families when their children succeed.

A More Demanding System Than It Seems

Unlike in France, where schooling is more gradual and inclusive, the Tanzanian system is highly selective. Classrooms are often overcrowded — sometimes more than 100 students per teacher — and textbooks are shared among many. Despite these conditions, children show remarkable motivation.

Holidays are therefore a precious time to rest and regain strength, but also to dream: dream of a better future, of continuing their studies, of gaining a profession, and of supporting their families.

On the eve of the holidays, schools close, songs echo through the villages, and smiles are exchanged. The end of the year here is not just a time for rest: it is also a season of hope and gratitude, a moment to appreciate how far children have come despite challenges.

For Partage Tanzanie, it is a time to rejoice with the children: for their progress, their courage, and the doors that education opens — this precious key to dignity and freedom.