government schools – TETEA Inc

2010-09-16

Tanzania’s Educational Revolution Needs Investment

An article describing some of the unintended effects of the rapid growth in primary school enrollment that followed the abolition of school fees, including higher student to teacher ratios, overcrowded classrooms, and shortages of books. While the article states that the current teacher to pupil ratio is 1:51, I’d be interested in seeing how the ratio would break down if Standards 1 and 2 were separated from the others. There are teachers who are certified only for teaching these lower standards, but I’ve seen cases where they compose the majority of the teaching staff and, due to the lack of better qualified teachers, end up teaching the older students as well. The full article is available on the Guardian’s website.

2010-06-19

Ruvuma Math/Science Teacher Shortage

“Defiant Science Teachers Weaken Education” http://allafrica.com/stories/201006160976.html This is a good article on the shortage of Ruvuma math and science teachers. Newly assigned teachers tend to ignore their placement to the region and end up at other, more developed, areas. What makes this article unique is it quantifies many of the losses.

2009-02-15

Abolishing Boarding Schools At Our Own Risk

IPP Media: Abolishing Boarding Schools At Our Own Risk This articles describes the motivations for the Tanzanian governments recent shift away from boarding schools, as well as some unintended consequences that the decision could bring. I tend to agree with the author, Issa Mcholo Omari, that it will make it more difficult for the poor to get access to quality education. As Omari stated, girls will probably be especially effected by this decision as they tend to study less while attending day schools due to the amount of chores they are given when living at home.