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Msolla challenges girls to pursue Science subjects
2007-07-07 10:45:14
By Linda Malekia
Minister for Higher Education, Science and Technology Prof Peter Msolla has challenged female students to opt for Science subjects in order to increase the number of female scientists in the country.
Prof. Msolla said on Tuesday at a ceremony in Dar es Salaam to award 81 best female students in science subjects for the years 2006 and 2007 that the government understood the need for science and technology in the country, hence it underscored its importance.
He said the awards for best female students were aimed at increasing the capacity in the field.
He noted that the number of best female students who had opted for Science subjects had increased compared to the time the awards were first introduced.
``Students with a good foundation in Science education will be able to use science and technology to solve economic and social problems, ``he said.
According to Prof. Msolla, many African countries lacked technicians with qualifications to compete in the field.
He therefore called on primary school teachers to give priority to Science subjects and Mathematics and ensure they were taught in the simplest language.
Among those awarded were Evelline Lupimo from St. Francis Secondary School and Sara Wangilisasi from Kilakala Secondary School, who excelled in Science subjects in 2006.
During the ceremony, 12 students from colleges and vocational training institutes were also awarded for excelling in civil, electrical and mechanical engineering as well as in telecommunication courses.
Secondary schools awarded for producing best students in Form Four National Exams were Kilakala, St. Francis, Shaaban Robert and Benjamin Mkapa. Others were Kondoa Girls, Msolwa, Ifunda, Tanga and Kifungilo.
Secondary schools awarded for producing best students in Form Six National Examinations in 2006 included Marian Girls, Kilakala and Msalato. Others were Lutheran Junior Seminary, Machame Girls and Zanaki.
Schools awarded for excelling in Form Six National Examinations in 2007 were Marian Girls, Shaaban Robert, Mzizima, Kifungilo and Barbro Johanes.
Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology Naomi Katunzi has said the awards were aimed at encouraging more female students to enroll in science subjects.
``We want to eliminate the notion that men are better in Science subjects than women,`` said Katunzi.
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