Zanzibar
OVERSEAS training of fishermen and the
ongoing construction of fish markets in
several coastal areas of Zanzibar are part of
government efforts to improve the fishing
industry in the islands; the House was
informed.
"We have been sending our people to China
and India to learn about proper fishing and
fish farming methods and we have been
monitoring their development," said Mr
Mohammed Said Mohammed, deputy minister
for Livestock and Fishing Development.
Mohammed's statement was in response to Mr
Hassan Hamad Omar (CUF- Kojani), who
wanted to know whether the training of
fishermen abroad had made any noticeable
change in the industry. "Is the 100m/=
allocated for supporting fishermen enough?"
asked the lawmaker.
The deputy minister said the monitoring and
evaluation of the more than 60 fish farmers
who underwent short training in China
indicated some achievement. "Our staff have
also been helping fishermen set up standard
fish ponds and skills for deep-sea fishing," he
said.
Mohammed also informed the House that
under the programme, fishermen and women
were supported with fishing gear, including
standard nets and boats. The deputy minister
asked fishermen to be patient as the
government made efforts to find development
partners to support them.
Lawmakers decry low salaries for teachers
IN efforts to retain good teachers in schools,
the government should make sure that they
do not change professions, lawmakers have
advised.
Debating the 2013/2014 budget estimates of
the ministry of Education and Vocational
Training, the lawmakers decried low salaries
for teachers and unfavourable teaching
environment in most schools. "Some good
teachers have turned politicians because of
low salaries.
I think the government should ensure
teachers are nurtured and respected by giving
them attractive salary packages," said Mr
Hussein Ibrahim Makungu (CCM- Bububu).
Mr Saleh Nassor Juma (CUF-Wawi) complained
that most teachers in Zanzibar, particularly in
rural areas, wore torn cloths and cheap
sandals, popularly known as 'yebo yebo',
saying it was degrading before students. Saleh
urged the government not to neglect teachers.
"It is high time major changes in the
education sector were made by introducing a
better scheme of service and paying teachers
well." Ms Asha Bakari Makame also urged the
government to settle debts it owes teachers,
including several allowances, and raise their
bus fare allowance.
Outdated curricula blamed for failures
Lawmakers decry low salaries for teachers
Outdated curricula blamed for failures AN
outdated education policy and curricula are to
blame for poor performance in national
exams, lawmakers charged.
Some legislators, led by Mr Ismail Jussa Ladu
(CUFMjimkongwe) and Ms Asha Bakar Makame
(CCMWomen) said Zanzibar students would
never perform well in national unless there
was an overhaul of the education policy and
curricula.
Congestions in schools, use of unsuitable
textbooks and moral decay were other
problems in the education sector that had to
be solved to develop the sector. Jussa argued,
"The government should not be proud of
Division IV passes because they are equivalent
to total failure and should be grouped with
Division Zero.
The results make no difference in terms of
being considered for higher learning or
employment." Meanwhile, a considerable
number of lawmakers in the House said there
was bias in the recruitment of teachers in
schools, leading to low quality education in
the islands.
"We are behind Tanzania mainland, Kenya and
Uganda in quality education," said Mr Salmin
Awadhi Salmin (CCM- Magomeni). Salmin said
people were complaining that the employment
of teachers is made along racial lines, adding,
"If this is the case, it is unacceptable.
Employment should be made on merit to
avoid division in the islands." Mr Rufai Said
Rufai (CUF-Tumbe) alleged that the majority
of headteachers and teachers holding higher
positions in the education sector in Pemba
were Form III leavers, while people with
diplomas and degrees were sidelined.
Government buildings to have power metre
readers
PRIME Minister Mizengo Pinda cuts a ribbon
to officially launch a modern slaughterhouse
in Namtumbo District during his official tour
of Ruvuma Region.
(Photo by PMO) Govt buildings to have power
metre readers THE minister responsible for
Energy, Mr Ramadhani Abdalla Shaaban, has
said that all public offices in Zanzibar will be
fitted with Automatic Metre Readers (AMR) as
the best way to force the government to pay
its utility bills.
"Fixing prepaid metres famous as TUKUZA or
LUKU is the only way to make the government
pay for electricity bills. Zanzibar Electricity
Company (ZECO) is preparing to fix the
metres," Shabaan said when answering
questions from lawmakers in the House.
He said government offices owed ZECO more
than 13.4bn/- as of March, this year and that
the power company had exerted pressure on
the government to settle all the outstanding
bills. The minister informed the House that
ZECO also owed Tanzania Electric Supply
Company (TANESCO) about 26.2bn/=
generated from power supply from the
national grid.
Machapisho
Hakuna maoni:
Chapisha Maoni