The struggle to get a primary school education in Tanzania

Young girls stand in class at Makuyuni school in the Monduli district of Tanzania, which has just one teacher for every 63 pupils Photograph: Graeme Robertson/Graeme Robertson

Primary school fees in Tanzania were dropped in 2005; the number of pupils who have enrolled since has doubled Photograph: Graeme Robertson/Graeme Robertson

Samwel Sarakikya, the school's maths teacher, had only $5.30 (£3.78) to spend on each of his 1,010 students last year Photograph: Graeme Robertson/Graeme Robertson

Driving around the Masai community Photograph: Graeme Robertson/Graeme Robertson

Sophia Lairumbe, 15, has never been to school because her family forbids it. 'I would have liked to have gone to study and play with others,' she says Photograph: Graeme Robertson/Graeme Robertson

Masai parent Kealai Lomayni at Makuyuni school in the Monduli district in Tanzania Photograph: Graeme Robertson/Graeme Robertson

Naishiye Johnson, 34, is a primary school teacher. 'My education means I can teach my children about nutrition and be a better mother,' she says Photograph: Graeme Robertson/Graeme Robertson

Young girls at Makuyuni school in the Monduli District having their lunch, called makande Photograph: Graeme Robertson/Graeme Robertson

In most cases, the school lunch is the only meal the children will have all day Photograph: Graeme Robertson/Graeme Robertson

Girls in Tanzanian schools face many obstacles: many must walk 10km or more to go to school, and some risk sexual assault Photograph: Graeme Robertson/Graeme Robertson

Children play in the dusty playing fields at lunchtime Photograph: Graeme Robertson/Graeme Robertson

Skipping after school Photograph: Graeme Robertson/Graeme Robertson

Girls look out of the windows of their classroom. Next year, the Tanzanian government is expected to make it legal for pregnant girls and young mothers to attend schools Photograph: Graeme Robertson/Graeme Robertson

A young girl's schoolbag at Makuyuni school. In order to achieve its goal of universal primary education, the Tanzanian government will have to rely heavily on international aid Photograph: Graeme Robertson/Graeme Robertson