Hundreds of Tanzanian children with special needs are scheduled to enroll in boarding schools after the government diverted funds intended for independence day celebrations to construct dormitories.
The $445,000 (£364,000) budgeted for Friday’s 61st Independence Day celebrations will now be used to improve schools.
President Samia Suluhu stated that the dorms will be built in eight rural special needs schools to assist numerous learners, some of whom walk everyday between 5km and 10km (3-5 miles) to school.
The change, according to the administration, is intended to improve the learning environment for children with special needs.
Tanzania’s state minister, George Simbachawene, said on Monday that the funds had been distributed. He stated that the East African country will commemorate Independence Day by holding public development debates.
Typically, Independence Day celebrations include pomp and state dinners.
However, this is not the first time Tanzania has canceled the celebrations.
In 2015, then-President John Magufuli postponed the celebrations and diverted funds to the construction of a road in Dar es Salaam, the commercial center.
He did the same in 2020, directing that the budget be utilized to purchase medical facilities.