The Vice Chancellor of the Open University of Tanzania, Professor Elifas Bisanda exchanging partnership agreements with Professor Egon Werlen of Swiss Distance University of Applied Sciences during the MoU signing held today in Kinondoni, Dar es Salaam (Photo by Vincent Mpepo).
The Open University of Tanzania and Swiss Distance University of Applied Sciences have signed a five year Memorandum of Understanding which will help the two to collaborate in various academic activities for the betterment of two universities and countries at large.
Speaking during the official signing of the MoU between the two universities, the Vice Chancellor of the Open University of Tanzania, Professor Elifas Bisanda said the collaboration will involve a number of areas of agreement which involves students and lectures exchange, fellowships, scholarship and collaborative research.
He welcomed and thanked the Swiss Distance University of Applied Sciences for having an interest to collaborate with the Open University of Tanzania and assured that his university will keep on cherishing the good things for the benefit of two universities.
Dean Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Dr.Dunlop Ochieng said the collaboration has been a very fruitful because it has brought a number of benefits for both universities.
“FASS is very grateful and proud for this collaboration that started with the faculty and has now extended to university wide”, said Dr.Ochieng.
He said his faculty is committed to encouraging faculty members to actively participate in future research stemming from the present study under the auspices of the OUT UNESCO Chair on curriculum development.
A researcher from the Open University of Tanzania, Dr.Christopher Awinia shared the findings of a research which was part and parcel of the collaboration between two universities where it has been found that technological challenges hamper learning and teaching environment in Tanzania.
He identified some of the challenges as stemming from internet cost and unreliable internet something which makes learning and teaching in Tanzania and most of African countries to face some difficulties hence legging behind in education.
Senior Education Officer from the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology, Dr. Evaristo Mtitu addressing the public during the signing ceremony between the Open University of Tanzania and Swiss Distance University of Applied Sciences held today in Kinondoni, Dar es Salaam (Photo by Vincent Mpepo).
Kanisa la DPA la jijini Dar es salaam litafanya maadhimisho ya miaka minne tangu kuanzishwa kwake kama sehemu tathimini na shukrani kwa Mungu.
Hayo yamebainishwa na Mchungaji muasisi wa kanisa hilo, Hanington Kabuta wakati wa mahojiano na mwandishi wetu huku akitanabaisha kuwa madhabahu hiyo ya DPA imekuwa baraka kwa mtu mojamoja na jamii kwa ujumla na kwamba Mungu amewatendea mengi.
“Mwezi huu wa nne mwaka 2024 kanisa letu la DPA limefikisha miaka 4 tangu lianzishwe hapa Goba, Tegeta A, Mtaa wa Msabila”, alisema Mchungaji Kabuta.
Alisema uongozi wa kanisa hilo umeamua kufanya maadhimisho ndani ya wiki hii, ambapo kilele chake ni Jumapili jioni.
Tuna maombi ya mfungo wiki hii pamoja na Semina ya Historia ya Kanisa Kiulimwengu, Afrika, Tanzania, na Hatimaye DPA, alibanisha Mchungaji Kabuta.
Aliongeza kuwa semina ni Jumatano tarehe 24 hadi Junapili tarehe 28/04/2024 na Muda ni kuanzia saa 10:00 Jioni hadi 12:30 Jioni kwa siku hizo tano huku agenda kuu ni ‘Fundisho la Kanisa, Maombi na Maombezi.
Aliwataka watu wote wenye mapenzi mema kuhudhuria na kuwaalika wengine huku akiwakumbusha kushirikisha taarifa hii kwenye mitandao ya kijamii ili wengi waokolewe.
Mkuu wa Mkoa wa Singida Halima Dendegu akiongea na wajumbe kutoka Chama cha Wafanyabiashara, Wakulima na wenye Viwanda Tanzania (TCCIA) Mkoa wa Singida kwenye kikao kilichofanyika ofisini kwake leo.
Mkuu wa Mkoa wa Singida Halima Dendegu ameuhakikishia uongozi wa Jumuiya ya wafanyabiashara (TCCIA) Mkoa wa Singida kuimarisha ushirikiano kati ya Serikali na sekta binafsi ikiwemo wafanyabiashara ili kuinua uchumi wa Mkoa wa Singida kwakuwa Serikali ya Mkoa ipo imara katika suala zima la ulinzi na usalama.
Dendegu alitoa kauli hiyo Aprili 24, 2024 ofisini kwake wakati wa mazungumzo na kati yake na uongozi wa chama cha wafanyabiashara, wakulima na wamiliki wa viwanda Tanzania (TCCIA) waliopo Mkoani Singida.
Alisema Jumuiya hiyo ni muhimu na muhimili katika kuinua uchumi wa Singida hivyo kuwaomba kuendeleza ushirikiano huo kwa ajili ya maendeleo ya wananchi wa mkoa huo.
ambao Rais wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania Dkt. Samia Suluhu Hassani amedhamiria kuboresha maisha ya mtu mmoja mmoja na ndiyo maana miradi mbalimbali inatekelezwa.
Akiongea kwa niaba ya TCCIA, Mwenyekiti wa Chama hicho Bw. Elly Kitila Mkumbo alisema walifika ofisini hapo kwa lengo la kukitambulisha chama hicho cha wafanyabiashara kwa Mkuu wa Mkoa aliyehamia hivi karibuni akitokea Mkoa wa Iringa ambapo wajumbe walipata nafasi ya kujadili masuala mbalimbali kuhusu kukuza uchumi kupitia sekta binafsi ikiwemo biashara.
Alisema chama hicho kitaendeleza na kudumisha ushirikiano kati yake na serikali kwa madhumuni ya kumkomboa na kumhakikishia mfanyabiashara mazingira wezeshi katika shughuli zake kwa maslahi ya taifa pamoja na kulitangazo soko la kimataifa la vitunguu lililopo Mkoani Singida.
Mwenyekiti wa Wafanyabiashara, Wakulima na wenye Viwanda Tanzania (TCCIA) Mkoa wa Singida Bw. Elly Kitila Mkumbo, akizungumza kwenye kikao baina ya Mkuu wa Mkoa wa Singida na TCCIA kilichofanyika ofisini kwa Mkuu wa Mkoa huo.
Mchungaji wa Kanisa la Kiinjili la Kilutheri Tanzania KKKT amewakumbusha wanawake kuvaa mavazi ya heshima kanisani ili kuendelea kuwa walezi wazuri kwa watoto na jamii.
Mchungaji Dkt.Mwatumai Mwanjota aliyasema hayo wakati akihubiri katika ibada ya Jumapili Mtaani hapo na kuwataka wajijengee heshima kwa mwenendo mwema ikiwemo mavazi.
“Wakati mwingine akina mama tunajishushia heshima yetu wenyewe kwa aina ya mavazi tuyavaayo”, alisema Mchungaji Dkt.Mwanjota
Aidha, alisema tabia hiyo ni sehemu ya mwenendo mbaya katika jamii na kwamba kwa kufanya hivyo wanakiuka majukumu waliyopewa kwa jamii japo pia alibainisha kuwa wapo wanaume ambao pia huvaa vibaya.
“Utakuta mwanaume mzima anavaa suruari chini ya kiuno”, alisema Mchungaji Dtk. Mwanjota.
Aidha aliwakumbusha wanawake kutambua nafasi ya mwanume katika familia kwa kuwa wapo baadhi ambao wakijaaliwa kuwa na nafasi nzuri kiuchumi au madaraka huwadharau waume zao.
Hata kama una madaraka na nafasi nzuri zaidi ya mume wako tambua nafasi yake kuwa ni kichwa, alisema Mchungaji Dkt.Mwanjota.
Kwa upande wake, Mwinjilisti Kiongozi wa Mtaa huo, Emeline Mzava aliwakumbusha washarika wa mtaa huo kupitia jumuiya zao kufanya usafi katika maeneo yao kanisani hapo ili kuweka mazingira ya kanisa hilo katika hali ya usafi.
Mwenyekiti wa Kamati ya Ujenzi Mtaani hapo, Exaud Mchome amewakumbusha washarika kutimiza ahadi zao ili kazi ya ujenzi iendelee bila kukwama.
Aliwaomba washarika kuendelea kumtolea Mungu ili kufanikisha kazi ya ujenzi na kwamba kiuhalisia hakuna ambaye anaweza kutamka hana cha kumpa Mungu kwa kuwa wema wake umeendelea kuwa katika maisha yao.
“Hata pumzi na uhai tulivyonavyo vinadhirisha upendo wa Mungu kwetu na tunapaswa kumshukuru”, alisema Mzee Mchome.
Katika ibada hiyo huduma kadhaa zilitolewa ikiwemo sakramenti ya ubatizo na meza ya bwana huku pia familia mbili zikimshukuru Mungu kwa makuu aliyowatendea katika nyakati mbalimbali.
Matukio mbalimbali katika picha ikiwemo ubatizo, jengo la Kanisa linaloendelea kujengwa na familia ya Wasiwasi Mwabulambo mara baada ya ubatizo wa mtoto wao. (Picha na Vincent Mpepo)
Kwaya ya vijana ya Kanisa la Kiinjili la Kilutheri Tanzania (KKKT) Mtaa wa Kwembe ikihudumu wakati wa ibada Siku ya Jumapili. (Picha na Vincent Mpepo)
Wakristo wakatoliki nchini wamekumbushwa kuienzi imani yao na kuepuka kufuata upepo wa mijuiza hivyo kudumu na kutohamahama.
Hayo yamebainishwa wakati mahubiri na tafakari katika ibada ya Jumuiya Ndogondogo ya Mtakatifu Alfonsi iliyofanyika kwa mwanajumuiya Dkt.Issaya Lupogo wa Kihonda na kuhudhuriwa na wanajumuiya hiyo kama ilivyo kawaida ya kanisa hilo.
Katibu wa Jumuiya hiyo, Elisha Emmanuel alisema wakati umefika kwa wakristo kutambua kuwa ukombozi ulioletwa na Yesu Kristo haukuja ili kuondoa shida, dhiki na mahangaiko duniani badala yake ni jukumu la wakristo kutambua uwepo wa changamoto hizo na ziwape ari ya kupambana nazo kwa imani.
“Shida na matatizo ni sehemu ya maisha ya mwanadamu”, alisema Elisha.
Aidha aliwakumbusha wanajumuiya kuendelea kulitegemeza kanisa kwa zaka, sadaka na michango mingine.
Mwenyekiti Msaidizi wa Jumuiya hiyo, Dkt.Issaya Lupogo alisema wakristo wanatakiwa kuishi maisha yanayompendeza Mungu ili kuandaa maisha ya umilele na ili kufanikisha hilo hawana budi kusoma neno la Mungu na kulielewa ili kulinasibisha kimwili na kiroho.
Alisema hata katika maisha ya kawaida hakuna mafanikio yanayokuja kirahisi bila watu kufanya kazi kwa bidii, maarifa na juhudi.
“Mchakato wowote wa kimaendeleo unahusisha kutumia nguvu, akili na wakati mwingine kutoka jasho”, alisema Dkt.Lupogo.
Jumuiya ya Mtakatifu Alfonsi ni mojawapo ya zilizopo katika Parokia Teule ya Mtakatifu Benedicto Jimbo Katoliki la Morogoro.
Sehemu ya wanajumuiya ya Jumuiya ya Mtakatifu Alfonsi katika Parokia Teule ya Mtakatifu Benedicto Jimbo Katoliki la Morogoro (Picha na Vincent Mpepo).
Kaimu Mkuu wa Dawati la jinsia na watoto Wilaya ya Singida Mkaguzi Msaidizi wa Polisi Exaud Waya akitoa elimu juu ya ukatili wa kijinsia kwenye kongamano la watoto waishio katika mazingira magumu katika ukumbi wa Vatican maeneo ya Mwenge, Manispaa ya Singida.
Na Sylvester Richard -Singida
Kaimu Mkuu wa Dawati la jinsia na watoto Wilaya ya Singida Mkaguzi Msaidizi wa Polisi Exaud Waya amesema kuwa ndoa na mimba za utotoni ni chanzo cha watoto waishio katika mazingira magumu.
Amesema hayo Aprili 17, alipokuwa anatoa elimu juu ya madhara ya ukatili wa kijinsia kwa jamii kwenye kongamano la kimataifa siku ya watoto wa mitaani lilofanyika kwa ngazi ya Wilaya kwenye ukumbi wa Vatican, uliopo Mtaa wa Mwenge , Manispaa ya Singida.
Alimesema yapo mambo mengine yanayochangia ongezeko la watoto waishio katika mazingira magumu ikiwemo wazazi kushindwa kutoa huduma muhimu kwa watoto wao, watoto kufanyiwa ukatili majumbani kwao, wazazi kugombana, wazazi wa kiume kukataa mimba au watoto, utumiaji wa dawa za kulevya kiholela na magonjwa kama vile VVU/UKIMWI.
Aidha amewasihi wazazi kulea familia zao katika maadili na kuwasisitiza kumcha Mungu kila mmoja kulingana na imani yake jambo ambalo litasaidia kujenga taifa imara lisilokwa na watoto waishio katika mazingira magumu.
Naye Sajenti wa Polisi Abihudi Kasonde kutoka kikosi cha usalama barabarani Singida ambaye pia amehudhuria kongamano hilo, amewaelimisha washiriki juu ya usalama barabarani ikiwemo mbinu za kuepuka ajali wakati wa kutumia barabara .
Pichani ni watoto wakishiriki wa kongamano la watoto waishio katika mazingira magumu katika ukumbi wa Vatican uliopo Mtaa wa Mwenge Manispaa ya Singida.
It is creditable hearing something from the authority as the profession of journalism relies on as the best way to ensure authenticity of information and trust.
Academicians are also entrusted with this feature as they are known to be knowledgeable in certain areas of specialization based on what they majored in their course of study.
Who is an academic then? He or she is a member of an association or institution for the advancement of arts, sciences, or letters.
In other countries an academician is the generic term for anyone employed by a higher education institution to teach and/or research, while “Professor” is reserved for those whose official title is professor and sometimes for only very senior academics who are full Professors.
Due to the reputation and honour they earn from the society based on areas of specialty they can be trusted to say and give information to the society.
For instance, a medical doctor, an engineer or surgeon automatically becomes a reliable source of information to the public in his area of specialty.
Due to this trust that is vested on them they need to uphold best practices in order to ensure they remain a reliable source of information.
According to the Vice Chancellor of the Open University of Tanzania, Professor Elifas Bisanda, some academicians have negative perceptions towards many issues that make their existence even unimportant to the public.
“In some cases educated people are corrupt and have negative attitude towards implementation of many issues”, denotes Professor Bisanda.
In the recent years, the trust to academicians has lost its way due to many reasons one being apolitical.
Some of the respected academicians have been swayed by politics and lost their reputation due to political influence and affiliation.
May be let us, not blame them, because they have followed green pastures.
They are sometimes not trusted due to the fact that what they are saying is politically motivated hence lost its potentiality.
However, the issue of newly revised education and training policy of 2023 has divided academicians into number a cross road.
“We have those who are against and the ones who are for the implementation of the policy”, says Prof. Bisanda.
Professor Makenya Maboko from University of Dar es salaam says the newly revised education and training policy emphasize acquisition of knowledge, skills and attitudes that uphold employability and self-employment.
“Tanzania need to transform its curricula through policy and implement best practices of it through competent based education from lower levels in order to produce competent graduates”, says Professor Maboko
He adds saying that, establishment of competent based programmes cater for the needs of labour market and economical opportunities in the country.
A lecturer from Faculty of Business Management of the Open University of Tanzania, Dr.Chacha Matoka says the implementation of the new revised policy should be delayed as there is no proper preparation of the implementing of the same from infrastructures to human resources.
“For instance provision of tablets to teachers in the country is of no use as many of them are using for chatting and other non beneficial uses for themselves and public at large” says Dr.Chacha.
Others are of the opinion that the medium of instruction in Tanzania is a hindrance towards implementing the newly revised education and training policy of 2023.
This means the language of teaching has something to do with creation of a barrier towards the real implementation of the policy.
With the current policy or regulations, with are using both English and Kiswahili for teaching in different levels of education.
According to Professor Bisanda, language is not the only leading factor as many people could be saying instead the focus should be on others if they real exist as what is needed is compatibility of the skills that teachers impart to the learners.
“The language of teaching is not a problem to children and students instead to teachers and lecturers who teach by using Kiswahili could be a problematic”, says Professor Bisanda.
He however insists that the language of teaching should be compatible with the local environment that moulds a child from his/her childhood endeavor.
Professor Makenya Maboko from University of Dar es salaam says Tanzania need to transform its curricula through policy and implement best practices of it through competent based education from lower levels that will determine the future of learners after completing a certain education level.
He says through the newly revised education and training programmes will have to be redesigned to emphasize acquisition of knowledge, skills and attitudes that uphold employability and self-employment.
“Establishment of programmes shall be more closely aligned with the needs of labour market and economical opportunities in the country”, says Professor Maboko .
“For instance provision of tablets to teachers in the country is of no use as many of them are using for chatting and other non beneficial uses for themselves and public at large” said Dr.Chacha.
The article highlights the important role that academicians play in disseminating information and fostering trust within society. However, it also acknowledges the challenges and criticisms faced by academicians, particularly regarding issues such as corruption, political influence, and the loss of public trust.
Idadi ya watoto wenye ulemavu wanaosoma katika Shule ya Msingi Uhuru Mchanganyiko
iliyopo jijini Dar es Salaam imeongezeka baada ya Chuo Kikuu Huria Tanzania kwa kushirikiana na vyuo vikuu kutoka Norway kuanzisha programu ya kuwawezesha wanawake wenye watoto shuleni hapo kujifunza shughuli za ujasirimali ili kujiingizia kipato.
Hayo yamebainika wakati kukabidhi misaada ya vifaa katika Shule hiyo hivi karibuni iliyohudhuriwa na wahadhiri wa Chuo Kikuu Huria cha Tanzania ambao ni wenyeji na wanafunzi kutoka vyuo vikuu vya Norway, walimu na wanafunzi wa shule hiyo.
Katibu wa kikundi cha Uhuru Mamas, Caroline Nyamala alisema ongezeko la watoto wenye mahitaji maalumu shuleni hapo limetokana na fursa ya akina mama kuwezeshwa kiuchumi kupitia kufanya kazi za mikono ambazo wanaziuza ili kujikwamua kiuchumi.
Alisema kabla ya fursa hiyo walikuwa wanakutana shuleni hapo wakielezana vikwazo na madhila wanayokumbana nayo kifedha na kisaikolojia baada ya kuachwa na wenza wao kwa sababu ya kupata watoto wenye mahitaji maalumu lakini kwa sasa wanamshukuru Mungu kwa kuwa mambo yamebadilika.
“Lakini baada ya kupata ufadhili wa kupata mafunzo ya kutengeneza bidhaa mbalimbali za mikono tumeungana na tunafanya shughuli zetu huku tukiendelea kuwasubiri watoto wamalize vipindi vya darasani,” alisema Caroline.
Alisema kikundi hicho kimekuwa hospitali ya akina mama wenye watoto wa mahitaji maalum na wanaita kitengo kwa sababu kimeponya majeraha yao na kuwaweka sawa kisaikolojia huku pia wakijikwamua kiuchumi.
Mwenyekiti wa Kikundi hicho, Herieth Kabende alisema kwa sasa wamefikia 35 na kwamba wameunganishwa na wadau mbalimbali kwa ajili kupitia bidhaa wanazozitengeneza na kuzuiza ikiwemo vikiwemo vikapu.
Aidha, aliiomba serikali kusaidia matibabu bure kwa watoto wenye ulemavu kwa kuwa kuwa gharama za kuwahudumia ni kubwa ukilinganisha na watoto wa kawaida.
Alisema asilimia kuwa ya wanaowahudumia watoto hao ni wanawake ambao wameachwa na waume zao bila kuwa na chanzo cha uhakika cha mapato hivyo wanapitia wakati mgumu pindi wanapougua.
“Mtoto mwenye ulemavu akiumwa gharama zake ni kubwa sana kwa sababu atahitaji kutibiwa ugonjwa unaomsibu , viungo vyake na mahitaji mengine”, alisema Herieth.
Alisema kwa taratibu za sasa ambazo zinawalazimu kujikusanya hadi kufikia 100 ndipo wakate bima zimekuwa ngumu na kuomba serikali iwasaidie.
Mkuu wa Idara ya Ustawi wa Jamii Chuo Kikuu Huria chaTanzania ambao watekeleza program za kuwasaidia watu wenye ulemavu Dkt. MarianaMakuu alisema lengo lao ni kuhakikisha watoto wenye ulemavu nchini wanapataelimu katika mazingira mazuri sambamba na kuwawezesha akina mama kujikwamuakiuchumi ili kuwalea vyema watoto.
Mhadhiri Msaidizi wa Chuo Kikuu Huria cha Tanzania, Vincent Mpepo akifanya mahojiano na Mwenyekiti wa Kikundi Uhuru Mamas Collection, Herieth Kabende hivi karibuni katika viwanja vya Shule ya Msingi Mchanganyiko iliyopo jijini Dar es salaam wakati wa kukabidhi misaada ya vifaa katika Shule hiyo iliyohudhuriwa na wahadhiri wa Chuo Kikuu Huria cha Tanzania na wanafunzi kutoka vyuo vikuu vya Norway, walimu na wanafunzi wa shule hiyo.(Picha na Solfrid Raknes kutoka Norway).
Vyuo vikuu viwili kutoka nchini Norway vimetoa msaada wa vifaa vya kufundishia na kujifunzia kwa watoto wenye mahitaji maalum, Shule ya Msingi Uhuru Mchanganyiko iliyopo jijini Dar es Salaam.
Akizungumza wakati kukabidhi vifaa hivyo, Profesa Bente Dale Malones, alisema vifaa hivyo vitapunguza tatizo la uhaba wa nyenzo za kufundishia, kujifunzia na vifaa vya michezo shuleni hapo na kwamba vinagharimu kiasi cha shilingi milioni 9.5.
Alisema shule hiyo ambayo ni ya mfano kutembelea imekuwa na mambo mengi mazuri ya kujifunza kama vile uwezo watoto hao darasani na ari ya walimu kufundisha kitu kinachopaswa kuigwa.
Alianisha vifaa walivyovitoa kuwa ni madaftari, kalamu za wino na risasi, viti mwendo, vifaa vya usafi, mipira, sabuni, maandishi ya nukta nundu, midoli, ndoo za kuhifadhia maji na vifaa vingine.
“Tumefurahia mazingira ya shule kwa kipindi hiki cha wiki mbili tulichokaa na kuwafundisha watoto na tunaahidi kwa kushirikiana na Chuo Kikuu Huria cha Tanzania kuendeleza ushirikiano katika eneo hili la kuwasaidia watoto wenye mahitaji maalumu,” alisema Bente Dale.
Akipokea msaada wa vifaa hivyo, Mwalimu Mkuu Msaidizi wa shule hiyo, Hajrati Kashakara, alisema vitasaidia kupunguza tatizo la uhaba wa wa vifaa hivyo kwa watoto hao,aliomba ushirikiano huo uendelee ili wapate vitu vingi kwa ajili kuwasaidia kusoma katika mazingira mazuri.
Mwalimu asiyeona, Saada Kiponza ambaye anafundisha wanafunzi wasioona hatua ya kwanza hadi ya tatu, alisema anafurahia kazi yake kwa sababu anafundisha watu wenye changamoto kama yake na kwamba anapofundisha anahakikisha wanamuelewa kwa sababu anajua mbinu za kuwasiliana nao.
Aliongeza kuwa licha ya kufurahia kuwafundisha watu wenye tatizo kama lake lakini anakabiliwa na tatizo la vifaa vya kufundishia,kujifunzia na miundombinu ya shule kutokuwa rafiki kwao hali inayohatarisha afya na usalama wao.
“Nimekuwa mwalimu kwa miaka 22 sasa nikifundisha mikoa mbalimbali naipenda kazi yangu na ninamshukuru Mungu watoto wangu wananielewa na wanafanya vizuri kwenye mitihani yao”, alisema Saada.
Aidha alisema kuna changamoto katika ufundishaji kwa baadhi ya watoto wenye wenye ulemavu zaidi ya mmoja hali ambayo ni ngumu kumudu lakini kama walimu wanajitahidi kwa sababu wanafunzi hao ni marafiki zao wa ukweli.
Mkuu wa Idara ya Ustawi wa Jamii Chuo Kikuu Huria cha Tanzania Dk. Mariana Makuu alisema mahitaji ya kutunza watoto wenye mahitaji maalum shuleni ni makubwa kwa wakati huu kutokana na kukithiri kwa vitendo vya ukatili wa kijinsia kwa watoto katika jamii.
“Tunaiomba serikali kuajiri maofisa ustawi wa jamii kwenye shule zote jumuishi ili kuongeza nguvu ya kuwasaidia watoto hao,kielimu, kiakili na kiafya ili kuwa sawa kama watoto wengine”, alisema Dkt.Makuu.
Alisema idadi kubwa ya watoto wenye mahitaji maalumu shuleni wanashindwa kutimiza ndoto zao za elimu kwa sababu ya kukosa uangalizi maalumu ili kusoma vizuri kama watoto wengine hivyo uwepo wa wataalamu wa ustawi wa jamii utasaidia kuwahakikishia ustawi na maendeleo yao.
Chuo Kikuu Huria cha Tanzania ambacho kinatekeleza programu za kuwasaidia watu wenye ulemavu nchini kina ushirikianio na taasisi za elimu ya juu ndani na nje ya nchi ikiwemo kutoka Norway ambapo kinahusisha kubadilishana uzoefu kwa wahadhiri na wanafunzi katika maeneo ya ufundishaji na mafunzo kwa vitendo.
Sehemu ya picha katika matukio ya hivi karibuni wakati wa kukabidhi misaada ya vifaa katika Shule ya Msingi Uhuru Mchanganyiko jijini Dar es Salaam tukio lililohudhuriwa na wahadhiri wa Chuo Kikuu Huria cha Tanzania ambao ni wenyeji, wahadhiri na wanafunzi kutoka vyuo vikuu vya Norway, walimu na wanafunzi wa shule hiyo. Vifaa hivyo vitapunguza tatizo la uhaba wa nyenzo za kufundishia, kujifunzia na vinakadiriwa kugharimu kiasi cha shilingi milioni tisa na nusu za kitanzania.
Picha2: Bidhaa za kazi za mikono zinazotenegezwa na Kikundi cha Uhuru Mamas ambacho kinajumuisha akina mama wenye watoto wa mahitaji maalumu katika Shule ya Msingi Uhuru Mchanganyiko iliyopo jijini Dar es salaam ambacho ni sehemu ya mradi unaotekelezwa kati ya Chuo Kikuu Huria cha Tanzania na vyuo vikuu vya Molde na Chuo Kikuu Kishiriki cha Sayansi Shirikishi vya Norway(Picha na Vincent Mpepo, OUT.
Na Mwandishi wetu, OUT
Mkuu wa Idara ya Ustawi wa Jamii, Chuo Kikuu Huria cha Tanzania, Dkt. Mariana Makuu, ameishauri Serikali kuajiri wataalamu wa ustawi wa jamii katika shule za msingi jumuishi ili kuwaweka sawa kiakili na kisaikolojia watoto hao wawapo shuleni.
Wito huo umetolewa wakati wa kukabidhi misaada ya vifaa katika Shule ya Msingi Uhuru Mchanganyiko huko Dar es Salaam leo jijini Dar es salaam na kuhuduriwa na wahadhiri wa Chuo Kikuu Huria cha Tanzania ambao ni wenyeji, wahadhiri na wanafunzi kutoka vyuo vikuu vya Norway, walimu na wanafunzi wa shule hiyo.
Dkt. Makuu ameeleza kwamba kuwepo kwa wataalamu wa ustawi wa jamii katika shule hizo kutaweza kusaidia kikamilifu watoto wenye mahitaji maalum ambao mara nyingi wanakosa mtu wa karibu kuelewa mahitaji yao wanapokuwa shuleni. Anasisitiza kuwa matunzo, uangalizi, na malezi kwa watoto hawa yanakabiliwa na changamoto nyingi, na hivyo kuna haja ya kuwa na wataalamu wa kutosha katika eneo hilo.
“Kuajiri wataalamu wa ustawi wa jamii kutapunguza athari hasi katika malezi na makuzi ya watoto hao, na hivyo kuwasaidia kufikia ndoto zao kielimu”, alisema Dkt.Makuu.
Alisema, kwa kuzingatia majukumu mazito ya walimu katika kutekeleza mtaala upo umuhimu wa kuwa na wataalamu wa ustawi wa jamii ambao watasaidia katika mambo mengine yanayohusiana na malezi na makuzi ya watoto hususani wenye mahitaji maalumu.
Aidha, alisisisitiza kwamba idadi kubwa ya watoto wenye mahitaji maalum katika shule wanakabiliwa na changamoto za kielimu kutokana na kukosa uangalizi maalum hivyo kukwama au kutofika mbali katika elimu.
Kwa upande wake, mwanafuzni wa ustawi wa jamii kutoka kutoka Norway, Marianne Valsvik alisema wanajisikia vizuri kuwa sehemu ya kuwafariji watoto kwa vifaa mbalimbali vitakavyosaidia katika kusoma, usafi na mahitaji mengine.
“Nimejifunza mengi hapa Tanzania kuhusu masuala mbalimbali ya kijamii na namna watoto wenye mahitaji maalumu wanavyoishi”, alisema Marianne.
Mwakilishi wa wanafunzi kutoka Norway, Karoline Lie alisema msaada huo unajumisha vifaa mbalimbali ikiwemo vya usafi, madaftari, kalamu za risasi na wino, maboksi ya vifaa vya msaada wa kwanza, viti vya na vinagharimu zaidi kiasi cha shilingi milioni tisa na nusu za kitanzania.
“Vifaa vingine ni pamoja na makabati ya kuhifadhia vifaa vya walimu, vifaa vya ichezo mbalimbalimbali, matanki, mabeseni na vifaa vingine vya jikoni”, alisema Karoline
Tanzania imesaini mikataba mbalimbali ya kimataifa ya watu wenye ulemavu ikiwemo mkataba wa haki za mtoto, CRC mwaka 1989 ambapo mataifa yalikubaliana kuwa na sheria na kanuni za kulinda haki za watoto kwa mataifa
Kusini Kwetu 