By Polycarp Machira, The Citizen Reporter
Dar es Salaam. The government is finalising an intensive e-education programme which would ensure that information communication technology (ICT) is integrated in the teaching and learning processes.

This was revealed by the minister for Education and Vocational Training, Dr Shukuru Kawambwa, in Dar es Salaam over the weekend.

He said the programme dubbed “Tanzania Beyond Tomorrow” was important due to the fact that the world had become a village and therefore the ICT element was expected to enable Tanzanian children to compete globally.

This, according to the minister, was part of the government’s plans to streamline the education sector between 2010 and 2015.

However, the minister - who could not candidly say when the ambitious programme would begin - noted that such initiatives were too expensive and called for support from other well-wishers, including the private sector.

Dr Kawambwa reiterated the government’s commitment to improving the quality of secondary education in the second phase of the Secondary Education Development Programme (Sedep).

“The second phase of Sedep (2010-2015) would see the completion of school infrastructure, providing teaching and learning materials, building science laboratories and libraries, as well as building capacities of the teaching teams,” he said.

The minister made the remarks when he officiated at the graduation ceremony of Feza Schools, which was held at the Mlimani City Hall in the city.

He said the institution has been synonymous with academic excellence in the country and challenged the management of the schools to consider opening more in other parts of the country.

Feza schools which are run by the Turkish Ishik Medical and Educational Foundation have primary, secondary and high schools in Dar es Salaam, and just recently opened a branch in Zanzibar. Talks with the government to establish a university are at an advanced stage.

Dr Kawambwa also challenged the foundation to venture into establishing health facilities in the country.

On his part, the schools’ executive director, Mr Ibrahim Bicakci, said the organization was determined to offer quality education in the country.

He said the government had set aside land for the construction of a university in Bagamoyo, adding that the project would soon kick off.

On the issue of establishing health facilities in Tanzania, the director said the foundation was considering doing so very soon. He added that the foundation has also been bringing doctors from Turkey to voluntarily work in various hospitals in the country over a period of time.

“Our aim is to achieve all goals set in the foundation plan, including the establishment of health facilities in Tanzania,” he said.

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