A number of public secondary schools have sent hundreds of their
students on indefinite leave on account of acute shortage of food.
Impeccable sources have told The Guardian that the schools began
embarking on the measure late last month after many started running out
of food stocks.
The sources, including teachers, added that it was not clearly
known when the students would resume classes as it was unclear when the
food supply situation would stabilise or improve.The schools with either
all or a big number of students back home are Tabora Boys’ and Girls’
secondary schools in Tabora Region, Nsumba Boys’ Secondary School in
Mwanza Region, Masasi Girls’ Secondary School and Ndanda High School in
Mtwara Region, Kahororo Secondary School in Kagera Region and Songea
Boys’ Secondary School in Ruvuma Region .
A Form V student at Ndanda High School who spoke to The Guardian on
conditions of anonymity said the students were ordered to return home
effective yesterday after the school started experiencing food
shortage.
According to him, the school headmaster made the announcement
asking them to return home as the food in stock was too little to
accommodate all of them save for Form VIs who are preparing for their
final national examinations due next month.
“I am on my way back home. We have been told to stay home for an
indefinite period,” he said, adding that the headmaster has promised to
find solution to the matter within a short time.
A teacher at Tabora Girls’ Secondary School who didn’t want her
name to be published confirmed that students in the school have been
sent home since March 24, 2015 over food shortage.
According to her, the students were sent home to allow the school
to use the remaining food stock to feed Form VI students as they are
about to sit for their national exams.
“It is almost two weeks now since we suspended classes for our
students. We have only remained with Form VI students because they will
be sitting for their national examinations next month,” she noted.
The teacher said when the girls were sent home, they were not told
the reasons for being ordered to do so. She said, “we told them to go
home because the teachers will be busy preparing for the Education Week
celebrations”.
Explaining the reason for the prevalence of food shortage, she said
that food suppliers have suspended services pending payment of their
arrears.
One of the parents, whose children school at Ndanda High School in
Mtwara blamed the government for its failure to ensure reliable food
supply in the schools. He was concerned that Form V students shall not
be able to finish their syllabus as they only have few months to
complete their studies.
When contacted for comment Finance Minister Saada Mkuya said she was not aware of the problem.
“You should seek clarification with the Education ministry. I am
not aware of food suppliers’ unpaid money … if there is such a case, the
responsible ministers would have informed my office,” she said.
Deputy Minister for Education and Vocational Training Anne Kilango
Malecela said that such matters are under the Ministry for Regional
Administration and Local Government.
Efforts to reach Hawa Ghasia, Minister for Regional Administration
and Local Government and her Deputy Kassim Majaliwa proved futile as
their mobile phones were switched off.SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
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