KARATU GETS 49.5M/- FOR SCHOOL LAB CONSTRUCTION

Rev Israel Natse

A Member of Parliament for Karatu, Rev Israel Natse has handed out 550 pieces of iron sheets and 440 bags of cement worth 49.5m/- to complete the construction of laboratories in 10 secondary schools in the district.

 

The MP said the money comes from the Constituency’s Development Fund (CDF) and will finance the construction of 63 laboratories out of the 73 required.

 

Natse said at first the money was sourced from the members of the community who used to contribute about 33,000/- per household for the purpose.

 

“But at some point, some people refused to contribute the amount due to political reasons, so we recommend the MP for what he did,” said Marcel Manimo, Chairman of the Committee which handles the construction of laboratories at Chaenda secondary school in Daa ward. 

 

He said political interference delayed the project in the district whose council is dominated by ward councilors from the leading opposition party—CHADEMA.

 

Treasurer of the construction committee at Diego Secondary school in Rhotia ward, Puline Damiano, said construction of the laboratory was delayed due to financial hurdles.

 

Natse called on the government to start preparing teachers who will be in-charge of the school labs across the country.

“People have tried their best to accomplish President Jakaya Kikwete’s directive to construct the labs so the government should ensure that the labs get teachers who will be in charge of them,” said the MP. 

 

Karatu District Educational Officer (Secondary), Bernard Mnyenyelwa said by now, only 12 labs are yet to be constructed.

 

“We are in the right track and I am sure we will meet the target in the projected time. What we appeal is for the people to continue to contribute so that we can accomplish the remaining task,” he said.

Earlier this year President Kikwete issued an order to all regional authorities to ensure that all secondary schools in their respective regions have laboratories in place by November, 30 this year. 

 

However, upon the cut-off-date, several regions failed to accomplish the task mainly due to financial hurdles. 

 

Interviews conducted this early by The Guardian with various regional and district government authorities further show that financial constraints also contributed to the failure to beat the deadline.

 

For his part, Arusha Regional Education Officer, Nestory Mloka was quoted as saying that they did their best to accomplish the President’s order upon the deadline but failed to do so.

“To be honest, not a single laboratory is 100 percent complete despite our efforts,” he said.

 

For his part, Morogoro Municipal Council Mayor, Amir Nondo said they too had failed to meet the deadline, “owing to limited funds and the given timeframe was also too short.”

 

“Nonetheless, construction is still in progress. Some laboratories are almost complete and others are in advanced stages of construction,” he added.

 

In Dar es Salaam, Temeke Municipal Council Mayor, Maabad Hoja maintained that it was difficult for all regions to complete the construction of laboratories due to some unavoidable reasons such as shortage of funds and construction materials.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN