While our children are guaranteed the right to education, it is sad to note that we still have high truancy and dropout rates in some regions.
It is a well known fact that education gives advantages to individuals and societies in general. Education is viewed as crucial to individuals’ development and, as such, most countries, including Tanzania, have guaranteed every person the right to education.
While our children are guaranteed the right to education, it is sad to note that we still have high truancy and dropout rates in some regions.
Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa revealed on Monday that absenteeism and dropout numbers are frighteningly high in seven regions. Five of the regions are in the Lake Zone, and this calls for urgent government intervention. The Premier named Tabora, Geita, Shinyanga, Mtwara, Simiyu, Singida and Rukwa as the regions with the highest absenteeism and dropout rates.
However, other regions are not immune to this problem because the causes are more or less the same.
Not surprisingly, Mr Majaliwa’s remarks prompted the Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (Policy, Parliamentary Affairs, Labour, Employment, Youth and the Disabled), Ms Jenista Mhagama, to order an investigation into the problem.
It might be the right move, but parents, staff and community members must all play an active role to ensure that children are in school and ready to learn. Our leaders are hailing free education, but it has come with many challenges that need time to resolve.
Politics aside, who doesn’t know that abject poverty, long distances to and from school, poor learning environment and parents’ unwillingness or ignorance are major reasons forcing pupils out of school?
The government should strive to improve the wellbeing of the people and learning environments, and this challenge will soon be a thing of the past.
Teachers should also play their part in making schools places where parents and students would feel welcome.
Absenteeism and dropout rates may be falling in other regions, but the fact is that the problem is still here with us. Let’s tackle it.
Tourism needs new mindset
The decision by Saanane Island National Park authorities to conduct a ten-day campaign to promote conservation and tourism is commendable. Tourism continues to be the country’s top foreign exchange earner after overtaking mining.
In 2016/17, it contributed 17.5 per cent of gross domestic product. Its contribution continues to grow, and the sector is playing a key role in transforming the country’s economy.
The government aims to increase the number of annual tourist arrivals to three million come 2020/21 from the current 1.3 million tourists. This is a herculean task, but it can be achieved. It requires commitment and smart planning.
It is for this reason that Saanane authorities deserve a pat on the back for their initiative. Given the growing importance of tourism to the country’s economy, there is a need to aggressively promote the growth of the industry at all levels.
It means that people must be trained to weave what they do with tourism. We must view tourists—whether foreign or domestic—as people building our economy.
People’s attitudes should be shaped to make the country more hospitable to all at all times.
Improvements must be made in security and customer care. Quality of service should also be given the priority it deserves.
