|
Shortage of science teachers hits Same secondary schools
2007-10-23 09:46:40
By Asraj Mvungi, PST, Kilimanjaro
A majority of secondary schools in Same District, Kilimanjaro Region, are experiencing acute shortage of teachers for science subjects.
According to research by PST in the district, the shortage of science teachers is one of the major problems hindering prosperity of the schools in the district.
Some of the people who were interviewed on the issue said a number of ward secondary schools in the district depend on only one teacher for science subjects, hence some students are never taught science subjects.
Kisiwani Secondary School headmistress in Kisiwani ward, Anna Mbaga, said her school did not have a single science teacher, adding that they were forced to hire one from Gonja Secondary School in Gonja ward, about 100 kilometres from her school.
``We have experienced the shortage for a long time and we incur great expenses in paying for this teacher,`` she said, adding that the costs included paying for the teacher`s transport, residence and meals.
``We sometimes end up without the teacher as many schools need him,`` she said. She added that they were sometimes forced to retain students studying science subjects during holidays so that they could be provided with the needed tuition when teachers were available.
Dwelling on the subject, parents of students studying at the school said the problem had forced some of their children to drop science subjects for lack of teachers.
``This problem needs urgent solution as most students have dumped science subjects,`` said one of the parents, Itikija Shogholo.
He called on the government to find a solution to the problem as science subjects were very important in this period of globalization.
Commenting on the issue, Same District executive director Juma Iddy said shortage of teachers was a national issue, adding that necessary steps were being taken by the government to solve it.
|
