| Textbook policy: Govt throws the final shocker | Send to a friend |
| Monday, 08 March 2010 18:55 |
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Publishers and education stakeholders remain wary of the decision by the government to revert to the muchcriticised single textbook system in spite of assurances that the process would be implemented gradually to give both publishers and schools time to adjust. “The truth is the government did not give us enough prior notification, it remains an abrupt decision,”said Publishers Association of Tanzania (Pata) secretary-general Benitho Mtulo. “Actually, we are still using the Education Circular of 1992, which is not yet amended.” At a press conference in Dar es Salaam last week, Education and Vocation Training deputy minister Mwantumu Mahiza sought to assure mostly disgruntled publishers and other education stakeholders, that there would not be overnight changes to the multipletextbook policy. She said the government would allow a transitional period of two years, which ends in November next year, before re-introducing the single textbook policy. “The new system will be gradually implemented with the exception of Standard 6 and 7 pupils, who will continue using the old system, while we prepare for the new system to be used by secondary schools and teachers’ colleges.” Appearing at the press conference with a new book distribution map for primary schools, Ms Mahiza said the decision to revert to the single textbook system was based on recommendations submitted by a taskforce formed last year following heavy criticism by publishers. She explained that the taskforce had consulted various stakeholders on the merits and demerits of the single textbook before making its final recommendation to the government. Early last month, Education minister Prof Jumanne Maghembe sparked a backlash from publishers when he rekindled the single textbook policy debate. They accused of the minister of trying to bulldoze a system widely condemned by many as outdated and counterproductive. The system will worsen the situation of the already struggling publishing industry. Publishers make a yearly turnover of up to Sh50 billion. They say they have made huge investments in printing books that are gathering dust in warehouses. “The minister wants to take the country back to the dark ages of monopolistic tendencies. His directive is in contravention of the book policy of 1992 that clearly stipulates the role of the private sector,” Pata chairman Ian Ben Moshi said. According to Ms Mahiza, pupils will be using two textbooks for each class while the governments decides what books to use in the single textbook system. Schools and education stakeholders will be advised on the optional textbooks to use.“We are on a sea-saw, it’s ironical that as other countries are moving ahead we are looking back,” Mr Moshi said. Dr Hillary Dachi, head of the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM)’s Educational Planning and Administration department, said the move would not help the situation in the public education system. “We are centralising the distribution and production of textbooks at a time the student-textbook ratio is still high, things will only get worse. “Previously, when the state controlled the production of textbooks and other education materials, we had problems of inefficiency, I am not sure how this will change. Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites           |
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