Dar es Salaam. The government is still on the spotlight over massive failure in last year’s Form Four examinations, even as the State burns the midnight oil to release revised results after nullifying them and ordering the National Examination Council of Tanzania (Necta) to standardise them using the 2011 rating system.
A lobby group conducted a countrywide survey, which involved parents, barely a month after the results were released, and concluded in its findings that the government and teachers were to blame.
Announcing research findings in Dar es Salaam yesterday, Twaweza researcher Elvis Mushi said the survey - conducted from March 14 to April 3 this year - involved 2,000 respondents (parents) from across the country.
According to him, the research dubbed ‘Sauti za Wananchi’ (voices of citizens) which involved telephone interviews after parents were given mobile phones to facilitate the survey outlined ten key issues.
The survey indicated that 68 per cent of the respondents were aware of the publication of 2012 Form Four exam results while 32 per cent had no idea about them at all.
Majority of the respondents also said there was an alarming and deteriorating quality of secondary school education in the country.
Other things that the research revealed included the absence of textbooks and that teachers were not attending classes.
It noted that when they did, the teachers were likely to give assignments and walk out of classes immediately without teaching.
Asked if parents took time to help their children in the course of pursuing their studies, especially after leaving school, respondents were of the view that on average parents made an effort to help their children’s learning.
The students learning assessment, included in the Sauti za Wananchi findings, further indicated that Mathematics and English competence levels were disturbingly low, confirming the national examination results.
The survey by Twaweza concludes that more than 70 per cent of respondents said that the major cause of high exam failures was a shortage of teachers.
Thus they asked the government to reduce pressure on educators. The parents also cited qualifications of teachers as another big problem, calling for the government to motivate the instructors in order to increase efficiency.
“Through Sauti za Wananchi, we are able to quickly and scientifically hear the views of the citizens on issues that impact their lives,” said head of Twaweza, Mr Rakesh Rajani.
He said from the parents’ perspective it was clear that motivating and holding teachers to account was key to improving education in the country.
