Africa-Press – Tanzania. The University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) has awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa) degree to Mary Kamm, a celebrated educator and philanthropist, in recognition of her lifelong dedication to advancing education and empowering girls across Tanzania.
This esteemed honour acknowledges her outstanding contributions to the education sector and her unwavering commitment to promoting gender equality and expanding educational opportunities for girls in marginalised communities.
The honour was presented on Tuesday during the university’s 55th graduation ceremony.
Principal of the UDSM College of Social Sciences, Prof Christine Noe, described Dr Kamm as a pioneer whose commitment to girls’ education began long before supportive national policies were in place.
“Even before the government allowed girls who became pregnant to return to school after giving birth, Dr Kamm while heading government schools used her own resources to buy land and construct a house where these girls could stay and continue with their studies,” she said.
In her acceptance remarks, Dr Kamm widely known as Mama Kamm stressed that education should serve a greater purpose than simply preparing students for examinations.
She said learning must equip young people with the skills to overcome real-life challenges, noting that examinations are only one part of the educational journey.
“As educators, we must ensure that young people are prepared to live dignified lives and serve their nation not just pass exams. A teacher should never tell a child they are useless or unintelligent. Every child deserves the chance to learn and develop their abilities,” she stressed.
The Founder and Chairperson of the Mama Clementina Foundation also criticised the tendency of some schools to admit only top-performing students, particularly those with straight A’s. She warned that such practices exclude many capable learners.
“Do not admit only those with A grades. Where do you expect the others to go?” she posed.
Dr Kamm, who served at Weruweru Secondary School and other government institutions for over four decades, called on schools and communities to support learners of all academic levels.
She noted that no one can predict who among them may become future leaders whether at national or institutional level underscoring the need for equal opportunities.
UDSM Vice-Chancellor, Prof William Anangisye, announced that women accounted for 55 per cent of all graduates at this year’s ceremony, where a total of 2,742 students were awarded various degrees.
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