Aspired but not acquired educational aspirations: voices from pastoralist girls in Tanzania

The paper explores pastoralist girls’ education aspirations and the factors that hinder girls to achieve such aspirations. Capability approach guided the theoretical discussion of the findings. Observations, Interviews and focus group discussions were the main methods of inquiry. Findings show that pastoralist girls aspire for primary education as a way of setting their future career goals and the status they desire. They aspire to become teachers, nurses and doctors; yet the attainment of such aspirations is hindered by community traditions, cultures and poverty. The study concludes that although pastoralist girls have desired aspirations, they have remained unattained. The study recommends for collective interventions and efforts among parents, the community and the government in educating girls. It also recommends for initiatives to improve community’s economic status to reduce barriers to educating girls. Policy consideration of what girls and the community consider valuable is important while considering their norms and beliefs. © 2024 ASPE.