Capitation grants to be routed via school accounts

SIFA LUBASI in Dodoma

The Minister in the President’s Office, Regional Administration and Local Government (TAMISEMI), Mr George Simbachawene,

THE Capitation Grant Package for primary and secondary educations will be paid directly to school accounts each month, effective January 2016, to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy.

This was said by the Minister in the President’s Office, Regional Administration and Local Government (TAMISEMI), Mr George Simbachawene, here while presenting the government report on free education policy in Dodoma.

“The government will deposit a total of 18.77bn/- each month directly to the school’s accounts from the Treasury without passing through the district local government headquarters to avoid misuse of funds and other delays in projects implementation,” the minister stressed in his statement.

He also went further by pointing out three groups that will assist in implementing the policy as governments itself, parents or guardians and communities surrounding schools.

“The government’s role will be to ensure the funds reach the intended schools to facilitate all tuition and examination expenses, meals and other necessary studying materials,” said the minister.

Parents or guardians will be involved in ensuring students get school and sports uniforms, minor studying materials like exercise books, pens, medical expenses, and giving proper guidance about good conduct and the issue of discipline within society,” he clarified.

Mr Simbachawene mentioned the responsibility of other education’s stakeholders around the schools to include voluntary assistance as would be agreed. Other responsibility that falls under stakeholder’s category is to ensure all school aged children join preschool, primary and secondary schools timely and remain in schools throughout.

Meanwhile, the government has directed Dar es Salaam and Dodoma authorities to ensure that by mid-February 2016, all children eligible to join Form One to do so without delay.

The minister said a total of 12,647 students expected to join Form One missed chances due to shortage of classrooms and other education facilities, calling leaders to work hard to ensure adequate facilities were available.