16bn/- sent to schools to prop free education

ALVAR MWAKYUSA in Dodoma

THE government disbursed last month capitation funds amounting to 15.71bn/- to public primary and secondary schools countrywide in implementation of free education policy, the National Assembly heard.

In the same development, Deputy Minister for Education, Science, Technology and Vocational Training, Engineer Stella Manyanya, stressed yesterday that no students in public schools will be compelled to pay fees or any other contributions.

“As the government implements the free education policy from primary to ordinary level, a circular number 6 of 2015 was issued which stipulates obligation of every stakeholder in realising the plan,” Eng. Manyanya explained.

She made the explanation while responding to a basic question by Ndanda MP, Mr Cecil Mwambe (Chadema) who had wanted to know whether the government was fully prepared to put the plan into action.

“Is the government well prepared to ensure students are not sent back home for failing to make contributions to pay salaries of guards or purchase of chalks and desks?” the MP queried.

In response, the deputy minister assured the lawmaker that the capitation grant disbursed to schools are meant to foot all costs, which were hitherto borne by parents and guardians.

“The funds are allocated to cater for operation costs, tuition fees and meals for students in boarding schools. “Heads of government schools have been given directives on how the money should be spent to purchase teaching and learning materials as well as footing other costs such as printing of examinations and paying security guards,” she elaborated.

She went on to state that each financial year, the central government and local governments will allocate funds to purchase desks in public schools. “The public and other education stakeholders could however continue supporting the government to provide desks as they wish,” Eng Manyanya said.

She added: “I declare before this House that the government is committed to provide free education. No student will be compelled to make financial contributions because this is the responsibility of the government.”

On the other hand, Eng. Manyanya said plans are still underway to put up vocational training centres in all districts. “A study was conducted to construct the centres in districts, which lack either public or private vocational training centres,” she stated.

Eng Manyanya was responding to another question by the Ndanda lawmaker, who had tasked the government to build such a centre in Masasi District.

However, the deputy minister explained that Masasi District would not be considered for now since it has two vocational training centres run by religious organizations.

They include Ndanda and Lupaso -- with the capacity of admitting 180 and 38 students. Eng. Manyanya explained further that the government has upgraded 25 community development colleges across the country to enable them provide vocational training