Elimu Yetu : Japan Hands over MICHAKAINI 'A' Primary School Building

The front view of the newly constructed Classroom block.

The rear view of the newly constructed Classroom block.

Ambassador of Japan H.E. Mr. Masaharu Yoshida posing with from left Chaiman of Parent Committee of Michakaini Primary School, Mr. Nassor HArith Mohammed, Hon. Ms. Mwanajuma Majjid Abdallah - South Pemba Regional Commissioner, Headteacher Ms. Neema Mwalim Khamis, Secretary of the Committee and Head Teacher, in front of the newly constructed classroom block.

Ambassador of Japan H.E. Mr. Masaharu Yoshida with Prof. Ibrahim Lipumba, CUF Chairman, posing with Michakaini primary school pupils in front of the newly constructed classroom block.

Ambassador of Japan H.E. Mr. Masaharu Yoshida with Hon. Ms. Mwanajuma Majjid Abdallah - South Pemba Regional Commissioner, during the Handing over ceremony.

Ambassador of Japan H.E. Mr. Masaharu Yoshida with Prof. Ibrahim Lipumba, CUF Chairman, during the Handing over ceremony.

Ambassador of Japan H.E. Mr. Masaharu Yoshida congratulates Eng. Mansour Kassim, during the Handing over ceremony. Also in the phor Prof. Ibrahim Lipumba.

By Our Correspondent

The Government of Japan which has been extending support to local communities in various sectors including health, education and water supply under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGHSP) scheme since 1991, over the weekend has handed over two-storey Classroom Block at Michakaini 'A' Primary School in Chakechake town, South Pemba Region

The building which cost about US Dollars 159,037 is a response to a request by the Parents Committee of Michakaini A Primary School to ease congestion at the school.

The building which was constructed under the GGHSP scheme was handed in the presence of Hon. Prof. Ibrahim Haruna Lipumba – Chairman of the Civic United Front (CUF) andHon. Ms. Mwanajuma Majjid Abdallah – Regional Commissioner, South Pemba Region.

Speaking during the handover ceremony at Michakaini ‘A’ Primary School Ambassador of Japan, Masaharu Yoshida said Reconstruction of a Two-storey Classroom Block at Michakaini A Primary School in Chakechake Town, South Pemba Region; it is another contribution from Japan to the people of Tanzania.

“This project was recommended to us by Professor Ibrahim Lipumba, chairman of the Civic United Front (CUF), and I’m happy that he is here today to witness this handing over ceremony.” He lamented.

Narrating a sad story of the school he said situation at Michakaini „A‟ primary school, where pathetic with more than 1,300 pupils sharing only 12 classes, an average of 110 pupils in one class.

Due to the shortage of classes, the school decided to divide the pupils into two sessions, the morning session and the afternoon session.

However, even after two sessions, the average number of pupils per class was still very high at about 58 pupils per class.

“In some classes, the number was more than 80 pupils per class. These pupils could not get lectures of good quality and supervision. I’m glad that after our intervention, whereby the Government of Japan extended a grant assistance of US$ 159,037 (by then approximately equivalent to 250 million Tanzanian shillings), three classrooms, which were old and in a very bad condition, were demolished and the two-storey classroom block with a total of seven classrooms was constructed. “he said.

With these new classrooms, the average number of pupils per class is expected to be at 44 pupils per class.

Therefore, this project will help to create better condition that almost reaches the teacher-pupil ratio of 1:40 recommended by Primary Education Development Plan (PEDP III).

The ambassador believed that the new block will improve the quality of education and supervision to all pupils and will help their dreams to come true.

He also reiterated that the Government of Japan would like to provide continuing support for basic human needs in Tanzania.