Tanzania’s Ministry of Education has banned boarding for pupils enrolled in nursery and lower primary levels.

The country’s Education Commissioner, Lyabwene Mtahabwa, said starting March 1 which is the end of the first term, no student below Standard Four should be a boarder, according to local media reports.

"It is not allowed to provide boarding services to pupils of nursery and Standard One except with a special permit that will be issued by the commissioner of education after receiving an application from the relevant stakeholder," Mtahabwa was quoted as saying by The Citizen newspaper.

The education commissioner argued that boarding schools deprive children of the opportunity to bond with their families, build values and participate in various activities for the development of their families and communities.

"Many schools have focused on making students pass their exams, and among the strategies used by the schools to succeed in that is the establishment of boarding and academic camps that are conducted during holidays and that lead to weak efforts to build students' morale," Mtahabwa said.

She noted that the family plays a great role in contributing to a child's upbringing and development.

Any school found violating the directive, Mtahabwa added, risks disciplinary or legal action or de-registration.