We must fight to develop education – Mayor
2006-12-27 09:12:56
By Issa Yussuf, Zanzibar
Poor learning environment remains a serious setback to the development of science in schools despite massive campaigns to improve students’ understanding of the subjects.
Education experts made the observation recently in Zanzibar during a forum that deliberated on education development in the Isles in the context of Zanzibar Education Development Programme (MKEZA).
The forum facilitator, Joseph Mmbando, underscored the need for improving science learning environment to boost up students’ performance in science subjects.
”Science camps alone are inadequate; we need standard facilities and learning tools in schools.
Most of schools lack science learning facilities. This is a serious problem in our endavours to improve students’ performance in science,” he said.
Participants pointed other problems associated with learning environment as limited resources � such as laboratory equipment, shortage of teachers and schools, lack of exposure amongst teachers, etc.
The meeting also dwelt on early childhood development, mobilizing local resources for quality learning, and implementation of advanced secondary teachers’ training programmes.
Other issues discussed included empowering girls through science camps, special needs education, and education policy implications, and promotion of reading culture through mobile library facilities.
Commissioner for Education in Zanzibar Mariam Abdulla Yussuf said at the workshop that despite the identified hitches, the MKEZA project has been going on well, and a number of developments in education have been recorded, thanks to the project.
Opening the workshop, Zanzibar Town Mayor Honourable Mahboub Juma Issa said MKEZA was an important tool in the realization of education objectives in the Isles.
”Today’s world needs education; we must fight to develop education,” he said.
”Through discussions, we can expose shortfalls facing the sector, and chart out modalities for the expansion and improvement of knowledge acquisition,” he added.
MKEZA is financed and coordinated by USAID and the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training in collaboration with the Aga Khan Foundation.
The programme focuses on upgrading teachers, organizing science camps for girl students, and education of physically challenged children.
Ismailimail 
If we are really determeined to improve education we must first improve the teachers and their working conditions. Upgrading teachers will not make any sense if they still work under very desperate conditions. Teachers salary schemes must be revised. Otherwise the influx of Zanzibari teachers going to mainland Tanzania and else where to find the greener pastures will continue.
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