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After serving all presidents, Mungai readies for business
2008-03-23 10:28:06
By Staff Writer Msungu
He has been sworn in for ministerial posts by all the four presidents since independence in 1961 becoming one of the longest serving ministers in the country.
Come the 2010 general election he will clock 35 years as a Member of Parliament becoming also one of the longest serving Members of Parliament.
That is Joseph Mungai who officially told the Guardian on Sunday Staff Writer Msungu over the week-end that he is now officially shifting to business but with social touch. Read on.
Joseph Mungai`s critics say he is behind the downfall of the education sector in Tanzania arguing that the radical change of syllabus for primary schools in the country immediately after he left the ministry was proof of that.
Even the elimination of sports in schools which he spearheaded was to many a flop arguing that it has made many students lose interest in school.
The energetic Mungai (65) does not mince his words when responding to his critics.
``Those who feel so have got me wrong. I feel proud to note that during my period I was able to achieve universal primary education by increasing net enrolment ratio from 56 per cent in 1998 at my appointment 97 per cent in 2005,`` he notes.
He also recorded increased Standard Seven pass rate from 22 per cent in 1999 to 62 per cent in 2005.
He cites the abolition of secondary school games competitions (UMISETA) and primary school games competitions (UMITASHUMTA).
``This was to pave way for the introduction of basic subjects in primary schools after discovering that the hours spent in games were more than those spent on academic subjects,`` he says.
And on the abolition of agriculture and vocational training subjects, Mungai says his ministry did so in order to strengthen the teaching of basic academic subjects such as English, Mathematics and Science.
``Our survey indicated that many students were rather weak in most academic subjects and we had to do something to arrest the situation,`` Mungai explained.
Joseph James Mungai, plunged into politics at the early age of 21 years, by contesting the Mufindi district constituency seat in 1965.
``My failure to clinch the seat did not disappoint me at all. Rather it enabled me to do some deep research as to why I had failed.
``I discovered I had to surmount a lot of challenges, which I set out to do, before again vying for the 1970 elections. I won the seat,`` narrates Mungai.
Come February, 1972, Mungai was appointed Minister for Agriculture, taking over from Derek Bryceson.
``I introduced chemical fertilizers``, says Mungai who also points out that he has been appointed as a minister for agriculture three times.
He also points out he has been sworn in at State House six times, five times as a Minister and one time as a Regional Commissioner. He defended his parliamentary seat for 20 years, from 1970 to 1990.
He lost the seat during the 1990 general elections to the late William Mpiluka, but bounced back in 1995, this time for Mufindi North constituency.
Dwelling on his future plans, Mungai said that he will now have more time for his constituency and his business interests.
He says he comes from a business background and feels very comfortable to be in the footsteps of his father who was a leading shopkeeper and a peasant farmer in Mufindi district.
``I would now like to concentrate on business, especially those which have a focus on the development of Mufindi district including my constituency,`` he says adding that he is also keen on social economic development of his constituency, especially in the field of education and public health.
Commenting on claims that he is old and has overstayed in government service, he just brushed it off saying, ``Look I am only 65 and that I have been in the government since the age of 28.
I have been in and out of government several times. I think it is good time for me to shift from public service to self-service but in the national interest. ``
Mungai highlight:
Born 1943 at Mafinga, Iringa
1972-1975 - Minister for Agriculture
1980- 1982 - Minister for Agriculture
2000- 2005 - Minister of Education
2005- 2006 - Minister for Agriculture
2006- 2008 - Minister for Home Affairs
-First employment: Salesman with Singer
Sewing Machine Company
-General Manager Tanzania Elimu Supplies
Established
-Mufindi Education Trust (established 10
Secondary Schools)
-Joseph James Mungai secondary School
INCOMET
-Mufindi, Community Banks,
-Tanzania Tea Packers (TATEPA).
-is married and has children.
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