Tanzania's education ministry requests 700 mln USD to rescue falling standards

Tanzania's Minister for Education, Science, Technology and Vocational Training, Joyce Ndalichako, on Thursday asked Parliament to approve 700 million U.S. dollars budget for 2016/17 to rescue the country's falling education standards.

Ndalichako said if approved the budget will be used to improve the deteriorating education standard in the east African nation, the second largest economy in the region.

She told the House in the country's political capital Dodoma that the budget will, among other things, be used to improve teaching and learning environment, including rehabilitation of celebrated old schools.

The minister said the first phase of the old schools rehabilitation project will involve 33 schools which had produced the country's best brains but were now basically forgotten.

"Most of these schools played an important role towards grooming the country's leaders but today they are in a very sorry state," said Ndalichako.

She named some of the schools lined up for renovation as Ihungo, Nganza, Pugu, Same, Tabora Boys, Tabora Girls, Azania, Jangwani Kantalamba, Mpwapwa, Tosamaganga, Malangali and Milambo.

Ndalichako said in efforts to improve the learning environment, the ministry in collaboration with other stakeholders has availed internet connections to 250 primary and secondary schools in 25 districts.

She said the government has improved issuance of higher education loans, adding that under the new system many deserving students will be able to get the loans.

Ndalichako said: "Students who have been registered for priority courses will be given preference." Endit