TECEC was thrilled to be selected from over 40 applications for the All Hands on Deck for SDG 4 Small Grants programme. TECEC received a small grant alongside nine other organisations based in diverse education settings across Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Ghana, Pakistan, Nigeria, and Cameroon. 

Global Schools Forum and IDP Foundation provided small grants and tailored support to mobilise the All Hands on Deck for SDG 4 Action toolkit to improve collaboration amongst education stakeholders. We are inspired to share our experience and journey using the toolkit in Tanzania.  

In a time when global education systems face rising challenges, from inequity to resource constraints, the need for collaborative, community-driven solutions has never been more urgent.

That’s why the arrival of the All Hands on Deck for SDG4 Action Toolkit was more than timely for us. Commissioned by the IDP Foundation and developed in partnership with Global Schools Forum and Oxford MeasurED, the toolkit is not just a guide, it is a strategic framework for action. It helped us reimagine how schools, businesses, and community organizations can work together to transform educational outcomes.

We chose not to engage with the toolkit from the sidelines. Instead, we stepped into it fully translating its insights into on-the-ground action.

From Framework to Frontline

Our journey began with a dynamic, hands-on workshop that brought together leaders of low-fee private schools, local business owners, and grassroots community organizations. These are some of the key players at the heart of education in Tanzania and they rarely get the chance to sit at the same table.

The goal was simple: to reflect, map, and reimagine how we can collectively improve the quality of education for every child, especially those from low-income communities.

What followed was nothing short of inspiring.

  • School leaders identified pressing challenges, particularly around inclusion, teacher retention, and long-term sustainability. 
  • Business owners explored how their resources financially, in-kind, and relational could support mentorship, materials, and infrastructure. 
  • Community organizations highlighted the urgent need for psychosocial support, early stimulation, and equity-driven engagement. 

While the toolkit gave us structure, the real innovation came from the ground up. We didn’t just implement the toolkit. We localized it. We owned it.

Power in Partnership

This convening wasn’t a one-off event. It became the catalyst for a deeper, more intentional movement in our community, one where collaboration is no longer a buzzword but a practice.

Here’s what we’re building as a result:

  • A cross-sector coalition focused on improving early childhood education outcomes through shared leadership. 
  • Clear role mapping between schools, businesses, and community organizations, ensuring aligned goals and minimized duplication. 
  • Increased resource sharing, including play materials and learning spaces

 

  • Community engagement sessions to raise awareness and elevate caregiver voices in shaping school support. 
  • An advocacy effort to help business owners see education as an investment in economic stability and social progress not just charity. 

We believe the real driver of systems change isn’t money or models, it’s relationships. Relationships built on trust, respect, and a shared vision for children’s futures.

Local Action, Global Relevance

What excites us most is knowing this work is part of something bigger.

The All Hands on Deck for SDG 4 ActionToolkit is grounded in field-tested experiences from Lagos, Côte d’Ivoire, and India contexts that, like ours, are navigating complexity with creativity. By adapting the toolkit to Tanzania’s local realities, we’re proud to contribute to a growing global movement of education actors who are putting collaboration at the center of their solutions.

We extend our deepest gratitude to the IDP Foundation, Global Schools Forum, and Oxford MeasurED for creating a resource that is both strategic and adaptable. And we thank every partner who joined us not just to participate, but to co-create.

Looking Ahead

As we move forward, TECEC remains committed to ensuring that no child is left behind because of where they were born or how much their parents earn. We know we can’t do it alone. But with tools like this and communities ready to lead we don’t have to.

Together, we are putting all hands on deck for SDG4. Not just in words, but in action.

The All Hands on Deck for SDG 4 Action Toolkit comprises a set of resources, including toolkit, case studies, presentations, guides and facilitator notes to support better collaboration and integration across national, subnational and regional education systems.

Download the Toolkit here