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Involve students in school management - Govt
2007-06-02 10:10:45
By Pastory Nguvu
Government is concerned at non involvement of students in the running of schools saying such attitudes usually resulted into riots and conflicts.
Education and Vocational Training deputy minister Mwantumu Mahiza said this in Dar es Salaam at the beginning of a three-day seminar for new headmasters and headmistresses of Kinondoni Municipality.
``A number of conflicts in government schools arise due to students not being involved in decision making in regard to the operation of the school. There is need for change,`` said Mahiza.
She said involving students in decision making would create awareness for them to know what goes on around the school.
``It would help to maintain peace and harmony at the school,`` she insisted.
The deputy minister insisted that providing information to students was a constitutional right, adding, even the Tanzanian Constitution had declared that every citizen has a right to information.
Mahiza was concerned at demands by teachers who he said should stop using students as an income generating project.
She wondered why students were always asked to make contributions of even up to 100,000/-, which were above the school fees.
``I always hear that students are making contributions for examinations and other matters.
I ask myself what are all these contributions for, some contributions go as far as 100, 000/- which is above the school fees,`` she said.
She also raised concern at the insistence on students buying uniforms, identity cards and T-shirts from the school yet they could get the said materials from other shops for a reasonable price.
``These schools are built by the community. Do not expect more from local poor people than what they can offer,`` she emphasised.
Another participant in the seminar Dr. Dauson Katorisa said the objective of the seminar was to provide education on Finance, Material and leadership management.
``The course is very important because most head teachers were new in the field. There is a need to follow up after the seminar to see on whether they are implementing what they have learned,`` Katorisa said.
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