AfricaPress-Tanzania: THE Weights and Measures Agency (WMA) has contributed 100 desks and chairs (50- 50) worth 24m/- to Kimara King’ongo Secondary School in Dar es Salaam as preparations for school re-opening on June 29.
The government declared the closure of all schools and colleges in March this year as a result of the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19).
Following a sharp decline in Covid-19 infections, President John Mafuguli this week declared school re-opening while urging citizens to continue taking precautionary measures.
Handing over the desks and chairs on Wednesday, WMA Technical Department Director Stella Kahwa commented: “The agency is aware that a shortage of desks and chairs is one of the serious challenges facing this school. We want our children to find positive change when they are back and concentrate on studies.”
She affirmed that WMA had been supporting the education sector in various areas of the country, including schools in the Lake Zone and that the next beneficiary is Dar es Salam based Jangwani Secondary School, which would receive about 20 computers next week.
According to her, WMA’s contribution to Jangwani Secondary School aims at encouraging students who pursue science subjects with regard that professionals in such a field (science) were needed in various sectors of the economy.
Kimara King’ongo Secondary School Head Master Joseph Kiriri appreciated the contribution, saying the move would to some extent help reduce the number of students who used to share desks or chairs.
He admitted that the shortage of desks and chairs was still a big challenge, insisting that after receiving WMA’s contribution, the school still lacked 300 desks and chairs (that’s 150 desks and 150 chairs).
“There are three empty classes as we speak now. We call upon other stakeholders to support and create an enabling learning environment, which results in high academic performance.”
He stressed that Kimara King’ongo Secondary School performance had been positively changing almost every year, as a result of improving the learning environment.
The school is also facing a shortage of the offices and library and needs a brick wall. However, he praised the government for constructing enough classes and a laboratory.
“We encourage more stakeholders to take a leaf from WMA and contribute to the school. We are grateful to local government leaders who encourage community members to help us.”
