Why education management, human resources in shambles

By The guardian reporter

Professor Issa Omari

Professor Issa Omari of The Open University of Tanzania (OUT) gives a highlight of his new book titled ‘Education Sector Human Resources and Management Crisis in Tanzania.’  He comes out with reasons as to  why the status of Education is in shambles and suggests how the crisis can be overcome as he speaks to The Guardian Staff Writer, Michael Haonga in this interview. Excerpts.. .

 

QUESTION: May you first acquaint readers of this interview with your CV?

ANSWER: I am a holder of Bachelor of  Arts in Economics with Education degree (1968):  a Bachelor Philosophy -Educational Measurements, (1969); MA-Educational Psychology  and PhD (1972). Currentlly Professor Emeritus at Open University of Tanzania. I teach research methods, psychology, and educational assessment . I have been a professor since 1978.

 

Q: What is the magnitude of the crisis, its causes and  impact in short and long- term aspects?

A: The crisis is not just big but huge bordering a calamity and is an accumulation of errors of judgment and negligence for over a decade now. Can you imagine a country where universities do not get enough students especially in the sciences; over 180 secondary schools close down in two years for lack of students; over 90 percent of students fail Form Four examinations; Participation rates are below five percent at A level, and in higher and tertiary education levels; Children refuse to go to school to sit on puddles, and schools have no teachers, books, and desks.

 

Q:  What are your proposals to deal with the crisis?

A: First you need political appreciation of the magnitude of the problem, and then commitment, followed by additional resources. Tanzania is spending very little on education and paying teachers lowest in the continent.  Secondly you have to have more inspiring and relevant leadership in the education sector. Special attention is required to improve the supply of qualified school candidates and teachers in the sciences if the future of the economy is to be secure.

 

Q. What do you suggest to be prioritized in dealing with the crisis and why?

A: Quality of the leadership in the sector: Quality of teaching force, and then the study and living conditions at the school level. 

 

Q:  Whom does the book target? 

A: Yes, once books are published, they are public commodities for those interested. For strategic persons, such as directors they can get complementary copies but for the rest, 20,000 shillings is not too much to ask.

 

Q: What have you to comment on the general trend of education in Tanzania?   

A: There has been an extremely dangerous silence about the fate of the education enterprise in Tanzania. One day workshop on the findings and recommendations should help us to move forward in tracking the crisis.

 

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN