Form Four exams rot: players demand report

“ There is nothing new in what the report is saying…so it is surprising that the government is hesitating to make it public,” Nominated MP James Mbatia (NCCR - Mageuzi)   

Dar es Salaam. Education stakeholders appealed yesterday to the government to officially release the report of the commission of inquiry that investigated the 2012 mass failure in Form Four examinations.

In interviews with The Citizen, they said the state should spearhead national dialogue on the damning findings of the commission and the obstacles that stand in the way of quality education.

The call came after an exclusive story in The Citizen on Tuesday on the report of the commission of inquiry chaired by the current PS for education, Prof Sifuni Mchome.

The report was handed over to Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda in June but has yet to be released to the public. The commission was formed after 60 per cent of form four students scored division ‘0’ in their national examinations.

Yesterday, Prof Mchome said he would not comment until Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda released the report. Prof Mchome, who was appointed to his current job soon after heading the commission of inquiry into the education crisis, added: “We submitted the report to the PM. Let us give him time to work on it and comment once he makes it public.”

Among those advocating the immediate release of the report is University of Dar es Salaam education don, Dr Kitilya Mkumbo. “Why has the government held on to the report despite the commission delivering it since June?” he asked. 

“We want to know its content, interrogate the findings and give recommendations on how to improve education in this country.”

As a key stakeholder, he added, he was not impressed by some of the reasons being given for the deterioration of education standards in Tanzania--such as blaming the syllabus and examination content.

He dismissed claims that some teachers lacked professionalism as an insult to teachers and the colleges where they were trained--considering that there was no clear measure of competence.

Nominated MP James Mbatia told The Citizen over the phone that what the report describes as the causes of the mass failure is just a small part of a private members’ motion he tabled in Parliament but was not discussed.

Mr Mbatia, who turned down a request by the PM to join the commission of inquiry, said: “There is nothing new in what the report is saying…so it is surprising that the government is hesitating to make the report public.”

According to the MP, his motion was meant to demonstrate the serious challenges in the education sector. 

He cited the education policy, lack of official curriculum for secondary and primary education and weaknesses in approving learning and teaching materials for secondary and primary schools as some of the severe shortcomings.

The acting secretary general of Tanzania Teachers Union (TTU), Mr Ezekiel Oluoch, accused the teachers’ service department and the quality assurance department in the Ministry of Education of not doing enough to provide in-service training and seminars so teachers could update their skills.

Of 65,000 secondary school teachers, he added, only 481 teachers were trained on the new syllabus. One-third were from private schools and the rest were government teachers who had not been included in the training.

Moreover, there is a shortage of 40,000 teachers in secondary schools countrywide. “Some schools don’t have teachers of Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English. “Just imagine, of the nine core subjects five lack teachers…. what do you expect?”

Many schools in the rural areas are reportedly so poorly supervised that teachers choose to work at their own pace. Poor school inspection is also a key element of the problem.

 Last year, only nine per cent of Tanzania’s schools were inspected, most of them private. In the circumstances, Mr Oluoch said, mass failure in government schools was inevitable.

HESLB reopens loan applications

The government has directed the Higher Education Students' Loans Board (HESLB) to give a second chance to the 1,107 students who were left out of the loan scheme this year but had the required qualifications explaining that they had not filled the forms appropriately.

In that regard, the students have been directed to re-fill the online loan application forms for the 2013/14 academic year.

The government has also called on the various institutions where these students had applied to join to let them begin classes ahead of next year’s loan disbursement.

The government’s directives come after Chairperson of Parliamentary Committee on Social Services Margareth Sitta inquired as to the measures the government has taken following the recent student demonstration against been left out.

Speaking yesterday at the meeting with Parliamentary social services committee and HESLB officials, Education and Vocational Training Deputy minister Phillip Mulugo explained that it was true that some students didn’t get their loans due to failure to correctly fill the application form through internet (online).

Of these students, 111had applied for Science related courses, 20 for Mathematics teaching, 20 Agriculture science, 164 for Science teaching, 617 Teaching, 7 Irrigation engineering,70 Engineering and 98 Engineering and science.

“We have realised that there are students who were left out of the loan scheme despite having all the required qualifications, we have now directed the loan board to reopen its website portal and allow students to refill the forms,” he explained.

The ministry will spend 1.9bn/- that was earlier allocated to cover other costs (OC) and the board will use 21bn/- from loan interests and OC budget as well to ensure that the qualified students get their due loans.

Mulugo explained that the money does not include tuition fees but reassured the students that the government is entering into a contractual agreement with the colleges to go ahead and enroll the said students while payment is deferred to the next financial year.

The sum total of the student loan for the 1,107 students is 1.9bn/- and it is to be distributed as follows, Food and shelter costs, 221.4 m/- Books and publications, 686.3 Practical learning and 221.4 Faculty special needs.

Mulugo also announced the ministry’s plan to inspect various colleges deemed to be operating without proper registration by the National Council for Technical Education (NACTE) warning that they will all be closed down.

Colleges in the red-light are Media and Research Center (DSM), Vision Hotel and Tourism College (DSM), East African College of Hospitality and Tourism Management (DSM), The African Institute of Business Management (DSM) and Aspiration Training Center (DSM).

Others are, Morogoro School of Medical Science (Nursing-Morogoro), Dar es Salaam School of Hair Design (DSM), Media and Value Training Center (DSM), Information Technology Training Center (DSM) and Morogoro School of Medical Sciences (Lab Ass-Morogoro).

“I will start the inspection very soon and during the exercise security enforcers will accompany me purposely to arrest the concerned management and teachers found to be teaching after this warning” he said.

Following the students’ demonstration against being left out of the loan scheme, the government told HESLB to find an amicable solution to the matter but HESLB made it clear that it had run out of funds to sponsor anymore students even if they did qualify.

HESLB Director of Information, Education and Communication, Cosmas Mwaisobwa said the loan board had closed its doors and that no more sponsorships will be offered because it had exhausted its budget. At which point the students were advised to reapply in the next academic year.

“We have closed all the doors…the amount we were given for them is exhausted… we are very sorry for those who missed it,” Mwaisobwa had said.

For the academic year 2013/2014, the government allocated 306bn/- for loans to students. The qualifying students were mostly new beneficiaries but about 61,692 were continuing students at different stages.

According to him, of 31,647 students who applied for loans, a total 29,754 students were approved for loans in the academic year 2013/2014. 

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN

China's Huawei to set up e-learning in 150 schools

In an effort to improve education system in the country, Chinese telecommunication firm, Huawei has announced plans to assist at least 150 secondary schools adapt e-education which Huawei president William Xu, says can address the shortage of teachers as well as textbooks in the country’s.

Xu told Tanzania Prime Minister, Mizengo Pinda – who is on a nine days visit in China tour – that the National Fibre Optic Cable network termed ‘National ICT Broadband Backbone (NICTBB)’ that was set up by his company, can help uplift the education standards of the country.

According to the President, in the first phase, at least 50 schools from various regions will get e-education through multimedia classrooms and computer labs fitted with projectors and teaching done through online video and other online applications.

Already the firm has selected 100 schools to get aid in regular form of education but in the second phase, these too will be upgraded into online applications.

This is possible thanks to the Huawei’s headquarter and signalling centre in Dakawa, Morogoro Region.

In a related development, Xu has handed over at least USD155,000/- to Kibaoni Primary School where Mizengo Pinda himself attended in Mlele, Katavi district.

The money is for the construction of two classrooms and purchase of computers and related products for the school.

An IT expert from Huawei, Moses Hella said the funds will serve for the construction of a multimedia classroom and a computer lab which will have at least 50 computers, 5 laptops for the teachers, 100 Huawei tablets and an audio system.

For his part, Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda applauded the firm for the donation and for accepting to introduce the e-education to the said 50 schools.

“I am very much grateful for the donation. I promised to do something memorable for my school...the donation will transform the school to a modern status…” he said applauding Huawei further for assistance to the Nelson Mandela University of Science and Technology of Arusha.
 

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN

China to build library at UDSM worth USD16m

Dr Lu Youqing, Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania

China intends to construct a modern library valued USD16m at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) in efforts to improve its learning environment Dr Lu Youqing, the Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania has announced.

He was speaking during the launch of the Confucius Institute (CI) at UDSM recently. The function was attended by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Bernard Membe as well as academicians, diplomats and other government officials.

In his speech, the ambassador, who also donated about 400 office chairs to UDSM, said his government is committed to strengthen its cordial ties with Tanzania.

Prof Rwekaza Mukandala, UDSM Vice-Chancellor, expressed gratitude for the support saying it serves a great contribution in the institution’s second phase of expansion. Revealing that they have other plans with China meant for the construction of a secondary school to be used for practical training of UDSM School of Education students. "We have signed an agreement with Chinese officials for implementation of the plan…," he said.

Construction of both the library, which is to be at least four times larger than the current one, and also that of the secondary school, will start next year. As to the Confucius Institute at UDSM where among other things mandarin will be taught, Membe said by learning the Chinese Language Tanzanians will not only add their knowledge of Chinese culture, but also create more employment opportunities in Chinese companies.

"It's very important to learn Chinese if we are to promote our tourism. China, with a population of 1.3billion offers great market," he said pointing out that unlike Alliance Francais and the British Council French and English are taught respectively China had no such institute until now.

The Chinese Institute at UDSM was established back in January this year to train university members of staff, government officials and individuals on Chinese Language and culture. 

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN

Makerere Law School lecturers strike,demand evening classes allowance

Kampala. Lecturers at Makerere’s School of Law have gone on strike, demanding a review of their salary incentives just a month after a general strike by university lecturers demanding for a pay rise. 

In a decision communicated to students by the Law School academic board, the lecturers announced they will not teach evening students until they are paid the allowances attached to the evening programme. 

The lecturers say they want the current salary incentive reviewed, and evening allowances, which were scrapped in September, reinstated. 

The allowances were scrapped and instead consolidated in the 70 per cent salary increment given to lecturers so they could call off their two-week strike. (NMG)

MP launches school lab that he wants fellows to emulate

Ezekiah Wenje, Nyamagana MP

 Setting an example to be followed by other MPs, the Nyamagana MP, Ezekiah Wenje has led the inauguration of a mobile laboratory and other equipment worth 5.9m/- meant to secondary schools in his constituency.

The laboratory, complete with laptops, a projector and a solar panel, was presented to the Nyamagana Municipal Council in a short ceremony held over the weekend in Mwanza Region and received by Mwanza City Council Education Officer Emmanuel Katemi.

Presenting the equipment, Wenje made it clear that this was not a personal venture but the communal effort of all members of the constituency to raise the needed funds.

Nyamagana constituency has 30 secondary schools and of these, 12 schools have no laboratory making the donation invaluable. That being the case, the constituency fund committee unanimously agreed to spend the raised money to buy the mobile laboratory and needed equipment in a bid to solve the lack of laboratories in most schools in the area.

“As a member of parliament my major task is to make sure that schools are equipped with modern equipment to enable students study well. So I am optimistic that this mobile laboratory will improve performance in science subjects in our constituency,” he said.

The MP called upon Nyamagana Municipal Council to ensure that the mobile laboratory serves as many secondary schools in the area as possible pledging to purchase even more mobile laboratories to meet the students need.

 

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN

Officials catch schools off guard

THE Ministry of Education and Vocational Training conducted impromptu inspections at primary and secondary schools in Dar es Salaam. 

The inspection carried out on Thursday by the Permanent Secretary, Prof Sifuni Mchome and his Deputy, Consolata Mgimba is expected to travel to other parts of the country for inspection.

He said that it was discovered that the teachers’ attendance is poor and that other teachers report to their work places late and leave early. “Some teachers are not teaching thus affecting the performance of students,” he stated.

He also said that in most secondary schools visited, they discovered that many subjects are not taught, while heads of schools and teachers did not fulfil their responsibility of teaching.

It was also discovered that there was also a very poor system of recording student’s attendance and in some schools the exercise was left to the students themselves. 

The secondary schools audited included, Mtakuja,Twiga, Pugu, Juhudi, Yusuph Makamba, Azania, Benjamin William Mkapa, Kiluvya, Kibamba, Miburani, Chang’ombe, Kinyerezi, Ari and Makurumla. 

Audited primary schools include Mtakuja, Gongolamboto,
Uhuru Mchanganyiko, Kiluvya, Mgulani and Maendeleo. Prof Mchome urged administrators of the schools to effectively manage them, as the auditing exercise is ongoing and will cover all parts of the country.

Ethics to be taught in schools

Ambassador Ombeni Sefue

THE government is preparing a syllabus on ethics and the tenets of societal integrity to be incorporated in the school curriculum from primary level upwards with the view to improve integrity, moral and ethical conduct.

The Chief Secretary, Ambassador Ombeni Sefue, said this on Wednesday when opening a one-day workshop on capacity building in Dar es Salaam.

He said that the national ethics vision will be incorporated in school curricula from lower levels, with the ultimate goals being to impart to children the critical knowledge of moral integrity and societal ethics as they grow up and become adults with full potential.

 “The need to instil in children ethical knowledge and integrity should not be left to the government alone.It should be addressed at grassroots level, because this is where we groom the young to become future adults who should have national prosperity at heart,” he said.

He commended the Ethics Committee for organising the meeting that brought together religious leaders, non-governmental officials as well as representatives from civil societies to address the critical ethical issues and moral decay.

He said that if there is a need to have future generations that observe ethics and integrity as they are among the most critical requirements for the national development.

Ambassador Sefue went on to say that lack of integrity has forced some local and foreign investors to be skeptical on employing Tanzanians in some key posts for fear of being let down.

“They have lodged claims that they cannot employ Tanzanians in some posts as they are only good in making dubious deals and cheating. These negative societal aspects are a result of lack of integrity,” he said.

He said that poor ethical conduct and moral decay have cost the country. He added that holders of Tanzanian passports are no longer respected due to the growing menace of illicit narcotic drugs business conducted by locals.

Ambassador Sefue said that he was not against people being rich so long as they acquire their wealth through proper channels. However, he was against the current trend where people get “very rich” although their legal incomes are insignificant.

“Do we question our wives or husbands when they come home with huge amounts of money or posh cars while knowing that the income does not afford ownership of such assets. In most cases we just celebrate.

That is a sign of poor moral and ethical conduct,” he said. Earlier, Ethics Secretariat Commissioner, Judge (rtd) Salome Kaganda, said that the workshop is intended to empower the participants on the public leadership code of ethics, so that they support efforts that seek to ensure that they are adhered to.

No more loans, doors closed - HESLB

Cosmas Mwaisobwa, HESLB Director of Information, Education and Communication

Following the students’ demonstration against being left out of the loan scheme, the government has directed the Higher Education Students' Loans Board (HESLB) to deal with the issue, but HESLB has made it clear that it has run out of funds to sponsor anymore students even if they qualify.

Speaking to the Guardian yesterday in Dar es Salaam, HESLB Director of Information, Education and Communication, Cosmas Mwaisobwa said the loan board has closed its doors and that no more sponsorships will be offered because it has exhausted its budget.

Students have been advised to reapply in the next academic year but no mention of appeal was said despite the Ministry advice for the same.

“We have closed all the doors…the amount we were given for them is exhausted… we are very sorry for those who missed it,” Mwaisobwa empathized.

He went on to defend their processing of applications which the students argue was unfair, saying they were very keen and sure that no mistakes were made and all who deserve the loans were approved. He however did not expound on the controversy.

On one hand they ran out of funds but on the other they gave all qualified students their loans raising the question as to whether qualified students were left out due to lack of funds or even though they are out of funds they already approved all qualified students and the left out are those who did not meet set criteria.

Because the Minister for Education and Vocational Training, Dr. Shukuru Kawambwa was not available to address the students when they marched to his offices yesterday, Head of Information Department Ntambi Banyunzu took up the matter and told the students to consult HESLB.

“HESLB will settle your complaints, and direct you on appealing for those who missed the loan if they think they qualify,” he told them.

On their side, the students complained that they qualified for the loans but were left out in favour of other students who did not even need the loans. As an example, they spoke of financially able students in private schools that charge high fees but who surprisingly qualified for the loans.

“I think most of us here deserve to get the loan…” said a student identified by the single name of John adding that “… if HESLB has run out of money it is better it declares it publicly instead of saying that we are not qualified for the loan,’’

HESLB has answered that appeal affirmatively by publicly admitting that indeed they are out of funds but did not clarify whether due to the shortage of funds it has left out students who qualified for the loan or even though they ran out of funds but they actually accommodated all qualified students and that those who were left out simply did not qualify.

Responding on the rich undeserving students, HESLB Director of Information, Education and Communication, Mwaisobwa, said some of them are orphans studying in those expensive schools through sponsorship religious and other organisations/individuals.

“…some of the students in those private schools come from very poor families and others are orphans but they are there under sponsorship so we too cannot neglect them, they qualify for the,’’ he said.
According to him, of 31,647 students who applied for loans, a total 29,754 students were approved.  

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN

Airtel donated 10 million books to Dodoma secondary schools

Dr Rehema Nchimbi, Dodoma Regional Commissioner

 Airtel Tanzania through its project dubbed ‘Shule Yetu’ literally meaning ‘Our School’ has provided textbooks to four secondary schools in Dodoma municipality.

Secondary schools that have benefited from the project include Bihawana, Kibakwe, Itiso and Ndido, all of which are allocated in Dodoma Region.

Speaking during a brief handing over ceremony, the Dodoma Regional Commissioner, Dr Rehema Nchimbi said the books will support the beneficiary schools in their academic performance and be the catalyst to education development in the region. The book aid will help in liberating many from mental slavery.