TIE urged to speed up textbook supply to primary schools

MAUREEN ODUNGA

THE Minister for Education, Science, Technology and Vocational Training, Professor Joyce Ndalichako, has directed the Tanzania Institute of Education (TIE) to speed up supply of authorized textbooks to primary schools before they reopen on January 13.

In line with that, Prof Ndalichako ordered the National Council for Technical Education (NACTE) to avail a list of all registered and accredited colleges, which have not been enrolled into the Central Admission System up to this moment.

The directives were made in Dar es Salaam yesterday during one of her familiarisation tours at TIE and (NACTE) since she reported to office after her appointment. The minister insisted that the institute should use all means to ensure that the textbooks are distributed to the schools throughout the country.

“My ambition is to see that schools offer good and quality education because the issue seems to be a big problem at all levels of education,” said Prof Ndalichako.

The whole process of preparing and amending the curricula is done by TIE, which is regarded as the heart of the education system in the country.

“Being the heart of the education system, the curricula prepared should be of good quality, full of knowledge, skills and results oriented to our youth,” the minister directed. She urged regular stakeholders’ involvement, especially teachers in the preparation of schools’ curricula.

“The issue of gathering teachers to issue their views may be difficult due to budget constraints. But I know that there are so many patriotic Tanzanians who may want to contribute and are not given the chance,” Prof Ndalichako said.

The minister also insisted that the problem of children completing Standard Seven without knowing how to read and write should be a thing of the past in the Fifth Phase government. An assessment framework should be prepared in line with the curricula to assist the teachers in monitoring the student’s competency and performance, she insisted.

“Likewise a framework to guide the school’s inspectors instead of inspecting toilets and the schools’ environments, they should also go through the students’ exercise books to assess their performance,” Prof Ndalichako advised.

Former TIE Acting Director General, who is now the Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Technology and Vocational Training, Dr Leornard Akwilapo, pointed out that the institute has made notable achievements, including conducting training to 33,196 teachers and completing preparation of textbooks.

However, the institute faced a shortage of 50 staff (currently possesses 100 staff); financial constraints; and worn-out infrastructures and equipment. Prof Ndalichako urged NACTE to be careful while accrediting colleges because some of them do not meet standards like conducive environment, lack of enough space and good teaching facilities.

“There is nothing like doing business in the education sector. The intended goal is to impart knowledge to our youth. Therefore, when registering the colleges, don’t abandon them.

Make sure that you conduct the necessary followups,” the minister further advised. She also gave NACTE Secretary General Dr Primius Nkwera one month to inspect all registered and accredited schools and give her the feedback.

“Refrain from upgrading and administering registrations of the same field to many colleges without foreseeing the demand in the market,’’ Prof Ndalichako cautioned. Dr Nkwera pledged fulfilment of responsibilities by her office in line with the demands of the Fifth Phase administration.