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A recent statement by Professor Humphrey Moshi of the University of Dar es Salaam on the current status of education in Tanzania is shocking even though factual.
Professor Moshi said Tanzania is of recent years facing what he described as ‘the demise of education’. He based the argument on the annual performance of Form Four graduates.
The trend of the results from 2009 to last year reveals a worrying downward spiral. This, according to academicians spells major challenges for the development of the country given the fact that education is the backbone of the development of any country.
Obviously education is a pillar of development for any country. When we talk about education it is the quality education we talk about which can provide answers to the problems that we face.
He said for example that to a large extent, the success or failure of students directly hinges on mastery of the language of instruction, English.
A student must be able to read, write, speak and to listen to English effectively if he is going to do well in his exams.
He also pointed out that these language problems are not necessarily related to intelligence and that a skill in one language area does not mean equal skill in the others.
He however remained optimistic that students can still perform well even if they attend community public schools, especially now that secondary education is also offered free.
He emphasized that a classroom of students is the collective product of all the educators, support staff, classmates, parents and the environment.
The professor’s argument is supported by one of the reports of HakiElimu that says that the country’s poor quality of education is the outcome of non-motivation of teachers.
The report says in part that there is to some extent poor teaching and quality of teachers in the country which the country’s 2014 education policy has been on ion the qualifications required for a person to become a teacher.
Also, the policy, according to the NGO, has failed to address the question of immediate changes that are necessary to ensure graduating students are able to compete in the employment market.
To improve the situation, the analysis suggested enhancement of teacher competences, motivation, supervision, availability of teaching and learning materials as well as improvement of the teaching and learning environment.
It also urged the government to come up with strong strategies to ensure universal access to education by bridging the existing gap between the poor and the rich.
We are saying education will be very much going with country’s development pace if it finds ways in educating learners and training competent teachers.
If this is not done, obviously we will witness what Professor Moshi stated, “ the demise of education” in the country. (ends)
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