MPs Reject Six-Year Primary Education Plan

Mon, Nov 14th, 2011
Mon, Nov 14th, 2011| Tanzania

Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office (Regional Administration and Local Governments) George Mkuchika
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Members of Parliament have faulted a draft government policy proposing introduction of a six-year primary education, but backed the move to allow schoolgirls who become pregnant continue with studies after delivery.

The draft policy titled, ‘Education and Training Policy' was presented in Dodoma yesterday by Calistus Chonya, Policy Analyst, Ministry of Education and Vocational Training during an awareness seminar for the legislators.

According to the policy, children would be required to attend preparatory classes (kindergarten) when they are five years of age and join primary school at the age of six, which means they would complete primary school education when they are 12 years old.

State Minister in the President's Office (Coordination), Steven Wasira said that it was wrong and a mistake to reduce the learning period for primary school pupils. He said children completing standard seven at 12 cannot do anything.

He instead suggested for the ministry revert to an eight-year primary school format, so that the pupils could after completion engage in vocational activities.

Minister of State, Prime Minister's Office, Regional Administration and Local Government, George Mkuchika said it was unfair to let pupils complete primary school at 12 years of age, knowing that they don't have any skills.

According to him, previously pupils were learning for eight years and were also provided with vocational training. He said the then standard seven leavers were capable of doing activities like carpentry.

A member of parliament for Longido, Lekule Laizer (CCM) said: "I strongly disagree with the proposal that primary school education be provided in six years. We will be creating a cadre of people that we cannot manage in future".
Laizer said the policy will result into creating a cadre of ignorant people because even under the current system where pupils attend classes for seven years, there were still some who complete their education without knowing how to read and write in Kiswahili.

Simanjiro MP, Christopher Ole Sendeka (CCM) urged the ministry to ensure equity in provision of education in the country. He said affirmative actions should be taken to ensure that people in remote areas have access to quality education.

Ole Sendeka said the proposed system of six years for primary school is unjustifiable since it would affect slow learners. He suggested that secondary school education be made compulsory.

Meanwhile, Dr Shukuru Kawambwa the Minister for Education and Vocational Training concurred with the MPs saying their opinions would be taken on board.
"I have taken all your comments…most of you have opposed our proposal for six years of primary school education. We will consider your opinions," said Dr Kawambwa.

He said according to the new policy, basic education will include secondary education. He said the plan cannot be implemented immediately because there are almost 16,000 primary schools in the country which would have to be enabled to offer secondary education.

Selestine Gesimba Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education and Vocational Training, said the new policy would also replace previous education policies including the Technical Education Policy (1996).

He said the new education policy was initialized in 2007 when a task force was formed under the consultant, Abubakar Rajab, a former employee of the ministry.

He said the task force was provided with working references that included suggestions for a better way of ensuring the private sector's participation in provision of education and a review of the current education policy, among others.
By Felister Peter, The Guardian

to be sincere I have no objection to the 6 year arrangement. That is how most education systems in the world are. May be that is not enough but ther is no reason doing things others do not do if you do not have any strong indication. Yaani sisi tu tumalize shule ya msingi tukiwa wazee!

....Nimesoma sijaweza kuelewa lengo lao nini kupunguza miaka ya kusoma elimu ya msingi.

According to the policy, children would be required to attend preparatory classes (kindergarten) when they are five years of age and join primary school at the age of six, which means they would complete primary school education when they are 12 years old.

Je lengo ni kufanya watoto wamalize na umri mdogo primary school? Mi naona elimu ya msingi kwa sasa haikidhi malengo yake;tunasoma ripoti kila siku watoto wanaomaliza stdVII wakiwa hawajui kusoma na hawawezi hesabu za darasa hata la nne (ripoti ya haki elimu). Leo kuanza kujadili watu wasome miaka mingapi nadhani ni kukosa maono(vision).Kwangu miaka mingapi mtoto anasoma lingejadiliwa nbaada ya kuelezwa mitaala inafanyiwa mabadiliko gani yatakayoboresha ubora wa elimu inayotolewa na mabadiliko hayo yaonyeshe mambo gani yataondolewa (kama sio ya muhimu) na yale ya muhimu yatakuwa accomodated vipi katika mitaala ya sekondari.

State Minister in the President's Office (Coordination), Steven Wasira said that it was wrong and a mistake to reduce the learning period for primary school pupils. He said children completing standard seven at 12 cannot do anything.
He instead suggested for the ministry revert to an eight-year primary school format, so that the pupils could after completion engage in vocational activities .

...Hii suggestion ya waziri Wassira nayo naiona imekosa mashiko. Hivi bado tunatengeneza STDVII graduates ..yaani tunatarajia kuwe na watu waliomaliza STDVII wanaingia katika soko la ajira (rasmi au isiyo rasmi?)

Ni hivi Kawambwa has a STRONG POINT, he has to insist kwamba std 6 itakuwa sio kikomo cha ELIMU TZ baada ya std 6 wanafunzi watafanya mtihani na kuendelea hadi fm4, meaning atakaefeli std 6 atarudia exams, na kwa maana hiyo ELIMU YA FM4 ndio elimu ya awali itakuwa, ila haja press hard kuelezea, WASSIRA WALA HAJUI ANAONGES NINI AU MUSWADA HAJAUELEWA AS WELL MKUCHIKA,
So elimu awali itakuwa mwisho FM 4, hiyo ndio maana halisi, primary mwisho std6 ila lazima mwanafunzi aendelee hadi FM 4 after std6 exam...

Kizimkazimkuu said:

....Nimesoma sijaweza kuelewa lengo lao nini kupunguza miaka ya kusoma elimu ya msingi.

According to the policy, children would be required to attend preparatory classes (kindergarten) when they are five years of age and join primary school at the age of six, which means they would complete primary school education when they are 12 years old.

Je lengo ni kufanya watoto wamalize na umri mdogo primary school? Mi naona elimu ya msingi kwa sasa haikidhi malengo yake;tunasoma ripoti kila siku watoto wanaomaliza stdVII wakiwa hawajui kusoma na hawawezi hesabu za darasa hata la nne (ripoti ya haki elimu). Leo kuanza kujadili watu wasome miaka mingapi nadhani ni kukosa maono(vision).Kwangu miaka mingapi mtoto anasoma lingejadiliwa nbaada ya kuelezwa mitaala inafanyiwa mabadiliko gani yatakayoboresha ubora wa elimu inayotolewa na mabadiliko hayo yaonyeshe mambo gani yataondolewa (kama sio ya muhimu) na yale ya muhimu yatakuwa accomodated vipi katika mitaala ya sekondari.

State Minister in the President’s Office (Coordination), Steven Wasira said that it was wrong and a mistake to reduce the learning period for primary school pupils. He said children completing standard seven at 12 cannot do anything.
He instead suggested for the ministry revert to an eight-year primary school format, so that the pupils could after completion engage in vocational activities .

...Hii suggestion ya waziri Wassira nayo naiona imekosa mashiko. Hivi bado tunatengeneza STDVII graduates ..yaani tunatarajia kuwe na watu waliomaliza STDVII wanaingia katika soko la ajira (rasmi au isiyo rasmi?)

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