Tanzania has arrested five suspected Somali pirates on an island close to its Songo Songo natural gas reserves. International oil companies are showing increasing excitement about the size of the recent discoveries of gas off Tanzania and the possibility of the country becoming a major Liquid Natural Gas hub like Qatar.

The Tanzanian Navy arrested the pirates, each of whom was armed with a sub-machine gun. The pirates were in close communication with a mother ship that had seven more pirates aboard and a Spanish vessel brought them to Tanzania for custody. The Tanzanian Navy has been conducting regular patrols to ensure Somali pirates do not enter the country’s territorial waters – Yahoo News.

Iranian Ambassador to Tanzania Murahhedi has been explaining to Citizen reporter Lugenzi Kabale how relations between Tanzania and Iran go back a very long time. Extracts from the report:
‘From early times monsoon winds have permitted rapid maritime travel between East Africa and Asia. Although large-scale Persian settlement in East Africa is unlikely, Persian cultural and religious influences are unmistakably present.

Cooperation between Tanzania and the Islamic Republic of Iran dates back over 1,000 years when Iranians, then under the Shiraz empire, sailed to East Africa’s trade gateway, Kilwa to exchange goods with the locals. “It is that historical fact which drives Iran’s desire to re-awaken the two countries’ ties at this time, but putting more weight on health, diplomacy, trade and agricultural aspects”.
The Shiraz who traded with East Africans mingled with the local people, a process that contributed in developing the Kiswahili language with additional vocabulary from the Portuguese, Chinese, Indian and later on German and English languages. “Aware of this rich history, I am proud of the 1000 years of cooperation between Iran and the East African coast. with special attention to Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar,” he said. “On coming to serve here as ambassador, I had all the feelings that I am going to a place where I may call ‘home away from home’.” Ambassador Murahhedi added that with the warm and friendly attitude abundantly found among Tanzanians, he finds work¬ing in the country very attractive.
Speaking on efforts by the two countries to strengthen the historical cooperation, the ambassador said his government has recently released a $10million grant to Tanzania for building two health centres in Zanzibar and the Kigamboni area in Dar es Salaam, as well as constructing an up-to-date irrigation technology transfer centre. In the agricultural sector, his country has provided 150 light tractors to enable rural peasants to increase acreage.

In the higher education sector, Mr Murahhedi said 10 Tanzanians will be flying to Iran annually for Masters and PhD academic programmes in different areas of specialisation. Iran has recorded significant educational, technological and scientific developments in the past 33 years of the Islamic revolution and is prepared to share what it has by training Tanzanians who will come back home and spearhead their nation’s efforts to alleviate poverty.

The envoy revealed that before the 1979 revolution, Iran was a market for consumer and industrial goods, but after the revolution this trend was reversed and presently Iran is a major exporter of industrial manufactured goods including farm machinery. He noted “What we have learnt in Iran is that if someone hates you and imposes sanctions on your economy … he is instructing you to work hard and be self-sufficient. Western powers sanctions have made us strive to produce all our needs locally.” Ninety per cent of equipment for Iran’s defence forces is locally manufactured. Furthermore, Iran has managed to design, manufacture and launch into orbit several light satellites for various national uses.

TA readers will have noted the recent increase in the number of regular volunteer contributors so that we now have quite a large editorial team. This is helping us to cover more adequately news about various areas of development in Tanzania and is also relieving the strain on me as editor. May I say how much I appreciate what you are all doing.

We now need one or two more volunteer reporters to cover other areas which are likely to be of interest to readers. The work involved is not unduly onerous. We need, from each volunteer, three contributions of about 1,000 words (two pages) each year. However, volunteers will need to be already engaged in the area selected or be able to refer to the media, professional journals, contacts or friends who can supply relevant information.

We urgently need contributors to cover the following areas:
• Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries,
• Health, and
• Leisure – music, art, sports or part of these.

We also need a Deputy Editor for Tanzanian Affairs. This would naturally lead on to the job of Editor as I wish to retire in the fairly near future. If anyone is interested but doesn’t want to commit immediately, please contact us.

A NOTABLE ANNIVERSARY.
On 20th October 2011 the Presidents of Tanzania and Uganda, as distinguished alumni, officiated when the University of Dar es Salaam celebrated its Golden Jubilee. The University College established on 1st July 1961 with one Faculty (Law), three teachers and just 14 students has grown into the University which now has several campuses, over 1,000 teachers and more than 15,000 students. One of the earliest achievements of the new Government led by Chief Minister Nyerere, the college was (like Makerere University College in Kampala) ‘in special relationship’ with the University of London, awarding London degrees but teaching an appropriate local syllabus. In its first session the tiny college had a Principal, Professor Cran Pratt from Canada (who had taught at Makerere), a Registrar/Secretary, Jock Snaith (former DC Arusha), a Librarian (Harold Holdsworth) and a Law Faculty with three Oxford graduates (Professor A.B. Weston from Australia via Canada, William Twining, previously lecturing at the University of Khartoum, and Patrick McAuslan, who had West African experience) and 14 students, from Uganda and Kenya as well as Tanganyika, pioneers of legal education which colonial governments had neglected. This small team built a solid foundation for the Law School and University, developing an extensive library, attracting international visitors and establishing a strong tradition of local teaching and research.

TANU, the ruling party, had just completed a new building on Mnazi Moja as its headquarters but lent this to accommodate the college until in 1964, after a rapid building programme, the college became multidisciplinary and moved into its first fine buildings on `The Hill’ at Ubungo. On 1st July 1963 the University of East Africa came into being, composed of the University College, Makerere and Nairobi University College. When in 1964 President Nyerere presided, as Chancellor of the University, at the first Graduation Ceremony, held in the open air at the college, he conferred London LL.B. degrees on those first 14 graduates, and also an honorary degree of the new University on Dr Louis Leakey, celebrated for his discovery of Zinjanthropus in the Olduvai Gorge.

The college was transformed into the University of Dar es Salaam on 1st July 1970.

Jim Read

Jim Read is Professor of Comparative Public Law in the University of London (SOAS). He was a senior Lecturer in Law at University College, Dar es Salaam in the 1960’s.

Compiled by Anne Samson

President Kikwete talks to science pupils at Versity Secondary School - Photo State House

In September 2011 the Uwezo report on Education was released. This compares education in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda. The report compared pupil ability in English, Swahili and Mathematics. Tanzania did not fare too well on pupil ability – most standard 7 pupils operating at standard 2. However, access to education in Tanzania is easier than in the other countries. Many of the education announcements in the subsequent months have been in response to the issues raised in this report.

A new pass mark for Form II National Examinations will be introduced in 2012, although in November 2011 it was not clear whether the mark would be 21, 25 or 30. A new pass mark for Standard IV exams was also being contemplated. These changes are intended to “improve them [exams] and make them more competitive” (Daily News, 5 Sep 2011).

The move to single text books has been started. Government has already selected two textbooks per subject for primary Standards I-V and a single science textbook for secondary education. Minister for Education and Vocational Training Shukuru Kawambwa has said that these books will be used for a trial period of 3-4 years. Selection for other subjects is currently under way. The importance of books was reinforced by Vice President Dr Mohamed Gharib Bilal at the opening of the book festival when he “challenged teachers to build a culture of reading books” and added that “students must read various text and reference books to improve in studies” (Daily News, 23 Nov 2011).

Primary education – big changes proposed
In November, a proposal was put to Parliament to change the structure of primary education. This would involve making one year of preprimary education compulsory and, in effect, removing Standard VII. Ministerial policy analyst Calistus Chonya explained: “This means one year for nursery school, six years for primary education, four years for ‘O’ level secondary education and two years for ‘A’ level secondary education. … A child reaching five years must attend nursery school and start Standard One at the age of six years. Talented, gifted and slow learners will be developed accordingly.” (Daily News, 13 Nov 2011).

Nursery school education would be a full day and free meals would be available. Swahili would be used as the medium of education in nursery schools and Swahili and English in primary and secondary schools. Other proposals included opportunities to enable girls who had missed out on education due to pregnancy to catch up and a review of the curriculum to ensure a smooth flow between primary and secondary school.

It was also hinted that continual assessment during the academic year could influence a student’s final grade. Distance learning would be more formalised and there would be greater alignment and harmonisation of curriculum and cost in higher education institutions . Local authorities will need to source funding to support education more fully, including the setting of school fees.

The proposals were challenged by a number of politicians opposing the reduction of primary education by one year. In addition, groups such as Twaweza, the Economic and Social Research Foundation, Ford Foundation International and the Foundation for Civil Society voiced concerns at the proposed changes, noting that the quality of teaching needs to be addressed to have a positive impact on education (The Guardian & Daily News).

The Ministry of Labour and Employment called on educational institutions to teach students skills and entrepreneurship to help reduce unemployment. The announcement coincided with the launch of the German Foundation for World Populations (DSW)’s three year “Working together for Decent Work” initiative.

Over 88% of teachers who sat exams in 2011, including the Grade A Teacher’s Certificate and Diploma in Secondary Education examinations, passed. However, there is concern that only 42% of students who applied for teacher training places in government and private teacher training colleges were accepted. Government is working to pay teachers’ pay arrears, depending on the level of available funding and verification of individual claims.

Funding for higher education
Provisional registration loans are being withdrawn, while interest of 6% on student loans has been introduced. According to academics, this is having a negative impact on Tanzania’s position as an ‘education hub’. They have called for a review of the funding of higher education (Daily News).

Dr Anne Samson is the education advisor to a small education NGO in Kilimanjaro Region where she has been supporting a whole school development programme in state primary schools for the past six years.

Residents of Spenco Vingunguti area in Dar es Salaam escape the floods to reach higher ground (Photo Richard Mwaikenda/Michuzi Blog)

As this issue goes to the press in late December there are reports of severe flooding in Dar es Salaam following three days of torrential rain with 156mm of rain recorded on just one day, the highest since 1956. Over 30 people are reported to have died, with 5,000 inhabitants of low-lying areas such as Jangwani forced from their homes. Water pipes and other infrastructure have also been damaged. President Kikwete has promised TShs 3 billion to help resettle those affected to Madale, Kinondoni area (Gaurdian).

Flooding in Jangwani, Dar es Salaam

Dar es Salaam floods

Kilimanjaro Hotel
The State House has strongly refuted claims in leaked US embassy confidential diplomatic communications stating that President Kikwete accepted gifts from the owner of the Kempinski Hotel chain, a citizen of the United Arab Emirates. It was alleged that in 2006 the owner flew President Kikwete to London when he was the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, for a “subsidised shopping expedition” and made a $1 million contribution to the ruling CCM party. However, the cable accepts that the latter was a “legal contribution under current Tanzanian law”. The President was said to have authorised the company to construct two new hotels on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater and another on the Serengeti Plains, overlooking the main animal migration routes.

The Director of State House Communications denied the allegations, dismissing them as outright lies. He also produced an e-mail message from a woman who is quoted by the former US ambassador denying to have told him so.

A presidential spokesperson said: there had never been a time, ever, when President Kikwete was flown by anybody to London on a subsidised shopping trip to buy suits. “All his travels to London or any other places in the world, have been duty assignments paid for by the government of Tanzania” he said.

On the reported authorisation to construct hotels, permission was given by the third phase Tanzanian government and not by Mr Kikwete’s administration. President Kikwete had declined to grant permission to Kempinski Hotels to build on the Ngorongoro Crater on the strength of environmental concerns. “The President is a modest man. He wears very simple suits. And the government has an adequate clothing budget for the minister for Foreign Affairs and the President. Contacted in Australia the US Ambassador said: “It was absolutely not true, a complete load of rubbish and an absolute defamation of my personal character.” The Kempinski management has since left and the former Kilimanjaro Hotel is now trading as the Hyatt Regency, Dar es Salaam – The Citizen.

Chinese businessman’s wife killed
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Bernard Membe, has assured the Chinese community in Tanzania that the killing of Han Bing, the wife of the Chairman of the Chinese Business Association in Tanzania, had been an incident of banditry and was not xenophobia. Han was carrying some TShs 30 million without any security escort. Dar es Salaam Special Zone Police Commander, Suleiman Kova, said three people were being held over the incident – Mwananchi.

Prince Charles and Camilla celebrating VSO’s 50th anniversary in Zanzibar with Jean Van Wetter, VSO Country Director and school children.

50 years of partnership. VSO started working in Tanzania in September 1961. Since then, more than 2,200 international professional volunteers have worked in close partnership with over 500 Tanzanian partners in the fields of education, health, disability, agriculture, governance, community development and wealth creation.

The VSO approach has changed over time. While in the past, VSO volunteers (mainly teachers, doctors and agriculture specialists) were providing direct services to the most vulnerable populations in all regions of the country, the new strategy ensures capacity building and scaling up of ‘best practice’ in targeted geographic and thematic areas. VSO volunteers are also now more experienced and specialized professionals.

During the 50 year partnership VSO has had with the Government, Tanzania has made impressive progress in many areas. For example Zanzibar and Tanzania mainland are well on track to meet the millennium development goal on access to education, with over 80% of children being enrolled in primary schools in Zanzibar and over 90% in Tanzania mainland. Despite those tangible successes, several challenges remain and the current strategy of VSO addresses those, in particular in education, health and wealth creation. Through delivering change and sharing learning, VSO also directly contributes to the Government’s Poverty Reduction Strategies (MKUKUTA and MKUZA).

VSO is currently reaching more than 500,000 poor people in Tanzania, with a relatively limited budget. During 2011 3,000 teachers were supported by VSO volunteers, which resulted in improved teaching that in turn will reach more than 42,000 children.

Jean Van Wetter, Country Director, VSO Tanzania writes: “At the occasion of our 50th anniversary, we want to celebrate successes, but also reflect on our own practices and role in reducing poverty in Tanzania. In December 2011, we therefore invited development leaders in Tanzania to come together to review progress in delivering change in the lives of poor people and share their ideas on how to do development differently.

“I want to take the opportunity of our 50th anniversary to also thank the Britain Tanzania Society for this support to our work. Our volunteers recently received significant support from the Tanzania Development Trust, the charitable arm of the Society.

“Last but not least, I would like to extend my sincere appreciated to all current and past volunteers for their continuous generosity and motivation in improving the quality of life of the most vulnerable”.