Standard seven pupils fail to read class two English books

HILDA MHAGAMA

TEN per cent of standard seven pupils cannot read a class two level story in English, a study has revealed.

The annual assessment report dubbed 'Uwezo’, using 2014 data, issued today revealed that millions of students are leaving schools without mastering primary level skills.

The curriculum wants the pupils to complete their primary education with 100 per cent ability to read basic English and Kiswahili while master simple mathematics of class two levels.

Twaweza Executive Director, Aidan Eyakuze, said the study findings provide a platform for decision makers to understand the situation on ground thus strategise accordingly. Uwezo Tanzania Manager Ms Ziada Mgalla said though it is encouraging to see some positive changes on Kiswahili the level is still far from the required level.

“The inequality in terms of access, facilities and quality is worrisome,” Ms Mgalla said adding “pupils from wealth families gets better books and teachers and ultimately perform well compared to their peers from poor household.”

Nzega District’s Usongwanhala Primary School, Head Teacher Mr George Mgina said it was crucial for the government to re-consider incorporating short Kiswahili story books in schools to assist children in their learning.

“We need those books back in our curriculums for our pupils to master the basic skills at early ages,” said Mr Mgina. The 5th study assessment was conducted in 2014.

The data were collected from 1,341 enumeration areas across 50 districts in the country.

The study involved 32,694 children were tested from 16,013 households. Going by numbers, in 2015 some 760,000 pupils completed their primary school education meaning 76,000 or 10 per cent could not read class two English text book.