Saturday, August 20, 2016

Ilala uncovers nearly 600 ghost students

SUNDAY NEWS Reporter




A TOTAL of 599 ghost students have been discovered in six Ilala district primary schools, creating concern that the number might be higher than predicted.

Ilala District Commissioner (DC), Ms Sophia Mjema, noted this in Dar es Salaam yesterday, saying that following the discovery, she has directed education officers and head teachers to carry out the verification again.
“This district possesses 99 primary schools, therefore to note that only six schools have ghost students is worrisome, I am not pleased and that is why I have ordered for another verification exercise,” said Ms Mjema.
Usually, the exercise is conducted by filling out forms on behalf of the students during standard one registration; as a result the number of registered students differs with the existing one.
“Every school was granted funds as per the number of students recorded, whereas majority of the headteachers identified 1,000 students who are not in the official list,” she said.
The government dished out 400m/- that had been allocated for the development of the education sector but most of it was diverted.
She directed the municipal director to make sure by September 1stl, this year, to avail her with the exact figures of the ghost students and should also identify the people behind the racket so that appropriate measures can be taken against them.
Meanwhile, the DC pointed out that the district has done away with the problem of shortage of desks as the number has surpassed the target to 3,146 desks, which is equivalent to 177 per cent.
Initiatives are taken to increase the number of classrooms to accommodate the excess desks.
“Construction of 20 classrooms out of 24 classrooms has been completed, which is a requirement for all districts,” said the DC. Ms Mjema also noted the shortage of desks in secondary schools and called upon donors to intervene.
She cautioned members of the public against using the desks for personal use, saying if caught they will be dealt with.

No comments :

Post a Comment