Beyond grades: What matters during O-Level school selection
Experts and parents in Tanzania are discussing the criteria for selecting O-Level secondary schools, emphasizing that moral development and a child's ability to cope with social demands are as important as academic grades. The advice encourages parents to involve children in the decision-making process.
Why it matters
This highlights a shift in educational priorities, moving from purely performance-based metrics to holistic child development.
Dar es Salaam. As primary school pupils sit for their national examinations this month, parents are already searching for schools for their children as they prepare to join secondary education.
But beyond academic results, what should parents consider when choosing an O-Level school?
Interviews with parents and education stakeholders show that while examination performance, school reputation and the number of students securing Division I often influence decisions, other factors can be equally important.
For Mbezi resident Julius Matilinya, academic performance is his main consideration, regardless of the distance from home.
“These are the last batch of children I am sending to secondary school. I have always considered schools with good grades, and how far the school is has never been a problem. I am glad it has always turned out for the best,” he says.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in