Without education, there is no hope for children to escape the poverty cycle. In a country where a large proportion of the population do not receive a quality secondary education, it was clear that a secondary school would be meeting a great need in this area.

The Katoke Secondary School opened in April 25, 2009 after three years of planning and one year of building. There are currently 320 students enrolled – 130 each in Forms 2 and 3, and 60 in Form 1. Over 200 of these students are boarders.

Stage 1 of building is now complete with seven major structures, including an administration block, classrooms, computer and science laboratories and teacher housing. Stage 2 of the building program begun in 2010 and includes dormitories for boys and girls, a dining/assembly hall, a Guest House and more classrooms. In 2011 the Computer Lab was opened.

The school is a Lighthouse School with a program for the improvement of education in surrounding schools. Its motto is “Strive for the goal” and a major purpose is to “educate leaders for tomorrow”.

Profile of the Founding Headmaster

Mr Sidney Moir, the former Deputy Principal of Inaburra School in southern Sydney, is the founding Headmaster of Katoke Secondary School. The Tanzanian committee for the school, which sought an Australian headmaster, has warmly endorsed the appointment and is working closely with Sid to ensure the school provides a standard of excellence to nurture leaders of the future.

Sid, who has been a teacher in Australia for 34 years, brings great educational experience and strength to this new school. He is accompanied by his wife, Marilyn, who is also a teacher and is strongly committed to the pastoral care of the students. Sid has accepted the opportunity to set the long-term direction of the school, making it a place of educational excellence. One important part of Sid’s assignment is to train African leaders to continue the strong educational program when he finishes his work there.