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500 Manyara pupils out of school since January
2007-07-18 09:05:29
By Jane Mkonya
Over 500 primary school pupils in Kiteto District, Manyara Region have been out of school since January this year due to local government leaders allowing demolition of the school to pave way for a reserve.
Speaking to journalists in Dar es Salaam yesterday, Legal and Human Right Centre Director Helen Bisimba said this came into effect when leaders in the area welcomed the idea to demolish Lendrok Primary School. ``They later declared the area a reserve for Murtangosi Village,`` said Bisimba.
She said that apart from the school, a number of houses will be demolished to give way to the said reserve, she said without explaining about its status.
``The situation is chaotic. It has led to most of the pupils failing to continue with their studies due to being homeless and having no schools and/or alternative,`` noted Bisimba.
She said that the local leaders supported the idea to close the school on grounds that it was yet to be registered.”
However, Bisimba said investigations have shown that the school was been registered under MA/03/02/77.
``We were very disappointed to note that despite of the existing laws, policies and plans to ensure children acquire education as the fourth phase government`s leaders claim, there were some local leaders who ignored the call,`` she explained.
She said that the closure has affected a number of students, who shifted to Lobosoit School.
``The school had poor infrastructures with a single teacher who was later transferred. Villagers are the ones who had been paying the teacher.``
``Soon after the transfer all students went back home with their daily activities inclusive of grazing animals,`` said Bisimba.
``We call upon the government to reopen the school with people still at the area. Kiteto district should complete the construction of Lobosoit and deploy teachers. Let children resume their studies,`` stressed Bisimba.
In an interview with The Guardian, the Deputy Minister for Education and Vocational Training, Mwantumu Mahiza said the ministry had sent the Northern and Western Chief Zonal Inspector to investigate the allegations.
Mahiza said: ``We are aware of the problem. We have sent our inspectors to investigate and they will be back on Wednesday.``
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