The new educational policy is set for release by June next year with the government expressing optimism that the document will address most of the woes currently haunting the education sector in Tanzania.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training Prof Sifuni Mchome
The contentious tuition fees and other costs that private schools charges are among the critical issues whose lasting solutions the new policy is expected to offer.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training, Prof Sifuni Mchome, told the ‘Daily News’ in Dar es Salaam that the new policy will address the tug-of-war between the government and the private sector on the actual costs Tanzanians pay for education.
The PS admitted his ministry has been receiving complaints from the Tanzania Association of Managers and Owners of Non-government Schools and Colleges (TAMONGSCO) on the matter and that some initiatives have now taken shape in having it solved once and for all.
The association told President Jakaya Kikwete during its Annual General Meeting in April last year that the government has to see it as true partner in ensuring quality and affordable education.
According to TAMONGSCO, the government has to also make sure deep analysis on the actual unit costs of education is carried out so that the schools are run in accordance with the law while considering public interests and costs involved.
Commenting on the matter, Prof Mchome said the work on actual costs analysis was going on well and that apart from the new education policy; the analysis might be ready by June this year. “The new education policy is almost ready. Hopefully, it will be out by June.
It will address all these issues as raised by members of the public on the skyrocketing costs of education offered by the private schools as well as other challenges facing the entire sector,” he observed.
Apart from the costs in the private sector, the new policy, according to him, will also revisit the current state of provision of education for both private and public sectors with suggested areas for improvement.
However, he said, the government understands the costs the private schools are forced to incur in running their entities while considering the government’s contribution in offering subsidies for the public schools to keep operating.
“School fees matter is an issue that must be approached with great care. It is a challenge that needs thorough studies before arriving at a conclusive end — and that is what we are doing at the moment,” he explained.
On his side, the TAMONGSCO Secretary General, Mr Benjamin Nkonya, told the ‘Daily News’ that the association was not happy with the way some government organs are treating it when it comes to complaining on the costs of offering education in the country.
He gave an example of the recent decision where examination fees were raised, adding that the decision was reached without consulting it or even making a formal communication on the matter.
The National Examination Council (NECTA) has confirmed that from this year, examination fees have gone up from 35,000/- to 50,000/- to meet operational costs.
But according to Mr Nkonya, it is sad that no official communication was made to his association, which was contrary to the Public-Private Partnership Policy.
By PIUS RUGONZIBWA, Tanzania Daily News
