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.

GEL VISIT TO MWANDEGE BOYS SECONDARY SCHOOL

GLOBAL EDUCATION LINK(GEL) yatembelea shule ya sekondari ya wavulana ya Mwandege

 Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa Global Education Link, Mr Abdulmalik S. Mollel akiwasilisha mada mbele ya wanafunzi wa MWANDEGE.

Mr Mollel akielezea huduma zinazotolewa na Global Education Link kwa wanafunzi. 

Wanafunzi wa MWANDEGE wakifuatilia mjadala. 

Mr. Mollel  akijibu maswali mbalimbali ya wanafunzi.

Mr. Mollel akisisitiza wanafunzi kuwa matokeo mazuri ndiyo yatakayowawezesha kwenda nje kuendelea na Elimu ya juu, kwa maana ya Certificate, Diploma, Degree Foundation na Bachelor.

Staff wa GEL(Kuanzia kushoto ni Jackie Bomboma(Marketing Executive), Godson Hagai(Marketing Executive), Zakia Nassor(Director of Admission)) wakifuatilia mjadala.

Mwakilishi wa wanafunzi akitoa maneno ya shukrani kwa Global Education Link(GEL). 

Mwakilishi wa  wanafunzi akitoa mkono kuagana na Mr. Mollel.

Marketing Executive, Jackie akiwaelekeza  wanafunzi kujaza fomu za gel.

Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa GEL, akiagana na walimu na mwakilishi wa wanafunzi pamoja na CHIEF EXECUTIVE wa Mwandege Boys Sec. School Mr Enock Walter Mrisha(Wa Pili Kutoka  kulia).

Picha za Wanafunzi.

Wanafunzi wakijiandikisha katika Fomu za Gel.

Majadiliano ya mwisho yakiwemo maswali ya papo kwa hapo kati ya Wanafunzi na Mr. Mollel.

Hitimisho na ushauri kwa wanafunzi.

HESLB issues loans to 29,754 varsity students

Director of Communication, Information and Education at Higher Education Students’ Loans Board (HESLB), Mr Cosmas Mwaisobwa stresses a point to journalists on successful loan applicants for the Academic year 2013/2014 in Dar es Salaam on Friday. Looking on is the Board’s Director of Loan Allocation and Disbursement, Mr Onesmo Laizer. (Photo by a Correspondent)

HIGHER Education Students’ Loans Board (HESLB) on Friday released names of 29,754 applicants who have qualified for loans in the 2013/2014 academic year.

The Board’s Director of Communication, Information and Education Mr Cosmas Mwaisobwa said in Dar es Salaam on Friday that the number of all successful applicants stood at 94.04 per cent against earlier projection of 31,647 students.

“For the academic year 2013/2014, the government has set aside 306bn/- as loans to students,” Mr Mwaisobwa explained. 

He said a total of 29,754 new beneficiaries and 61,692 others continuing with their studies at different stages would be given loans amounting to 325bn/-

“The entire process of loan allocations has already been completed by 90 per cent and by the first week of October, this year everything will be ready,” he stressed.

According to the director, name of applicants who have qualified for the loans in 2013/2014 academic year are available in the Board’s website http://www.heslb. go.tz/.

He said there were 53,239 new applicants, 43,032 applicants with admission, 6,364 applicants whose applications had problems, 3,151 applicants who corrected their problems while 3,213 did not correct their problems.

“Of all the new applicants, 53,239 were local undergraduates, 156 local postgraduates, 51 overseas postgraduates and 184 were overseas undergraduates,” he said.

He added that for those with admissions at hand, 60,577 were local undergraduates, 699 local postgraduates, 118 overseas postgraduates and 298 overseas undergraduates.

Mr Mwaisobwa assured all students who have qualified for the loans that all procedures to transfer the funds to the respective colleges/ universities where they have been admitted were going on well.

“Once again I take this opportunity to remind all successful applicants to have their bank accounts where the loans will be channeled,” he said. 

HESLB was established in 2004 and started its operations in 2005 with two main functions of releasing loans for students with admission in higher education and recovering the loans released
since 1994/1995.

Mengi urges the rich to invest in education

IPP Executive Chairman, Dr Reginald Mengi (C) presents certificate of merit to excelling Form Four student Miriam Panja, during graduation ceremony of Barbro Johansson Girls' school.

Tanzanias blessed with resources have been urged to invest in the country’s education so as to raise its standards.

In addition they have been urged to come up with strategies, including paying school fees to enable children from poor families to attend school.

The appeal was made in Dar es Salaam yesterday by the IPP Executive Chairman, Dr Reginald Mengi during the 13th Anniversary and 11th Form Four graduation ceremony for the Barbro Johanson Model Secondary School.

Dr Mengi said it is necessary for every Tanzanian who has been blessed with wealth to realise the need to invest in education.

He said the move will improve the country’s education and see more children go to school, adding: “Blessings come from helping other people who are in need. By doing so God will give you more than what you have given.”

Dr Mengi said children from families who cannot afford to raise school fees faced a major hurdle in pursuing education, underscoring the need to take urgent action so as to enable pupils from poor families go to school.

Putting his words into action, Dr Mengi promised to pay 200m/- to cover children whose families are unable to pay school fees from January next year.

Turning to the graduands, he advised them to aim high and believe in themselves.

He told them: “I want you to excel and make your dreams come true.” He urged them to have respect as education without respect is nothing in today’s world, he said.

Barbro Johanson Model Secondary School Head teacher Halima Kamote said that 18 percent of the children in the school are sponsored. She said the school will continue to offer such sponsorship, because educating a girl is educating the whole nation.

“We believe in this and we now see that out of the 78 pupils sitting for their Form Four final exams there are some who we have sponsored, “she noted.
She thanked Dr Mengi for his efforts aimed at seeing every child go to school. 

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN

7 000 students drop out of school in Rukwa

MORE than 7,000 children from both primary and secondary schools in Nkasi District in Rukwa Region have
terminated their studies due to various reasons including truancy.
The Nkasi District Academic Officer, Mr Linno Mwageni, mentions other reasons being normal school drop
outs, pregnancies, illness and that most of them through the assistance of their parents and guardians are
vigorously engaged in child labour.
Mr Mwageni revealed such a grimy situation before the Nkasi District Consultative Committee meeting held
recently in Namanyere town, in the district.
He further expounded that out of 9,910 children who were enroled in Class One in 2007 about 6,128 children
dropped out of school before Class Seven, this year, while out 2,277 students who joined Form One in 2010
out of them 1,000 failed to proceed to Form Four, this year.
"This is very alarming as many children are dropping out of school in large numbers. Despite this problem, there is
no concerted effort to contain the situation on part of the parents, guardians as well as village and ward
leadership," added Mr Mwageni
Earlier, while opening the DCC meeting, the Nkasi District Commissioner, Mr Iddy Kimanta warned all those
officials who failed to deliver responsibly in their daily duties that relevant authorities will never hesitate to
deal with them.
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