UBUNGO: THE Ubungo Municipal Council has saved more than 233m/- through a school furniture rehabilitation campaign in Goba Ward, with 2,583 damaged desks, chairs and tables restored for use in public primary and secondary schools.
The initiative, spearheaded by Kibamba Member of Parliament (CCM) and Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Mr Angela Kairuki, seeks to improve learning environments by restoring damaged furniture instead of replacing it, while involving skilled youths in the repair work.
Speaking during a handover ceremony for the repaired furniture in Goba Ward, Ms Kairuki said the 2,583 pieces of furniture had been repaired in collaboration with local leaders, teachers and skilled youths, reducing the need to purchase new items.
She said other efforts to improve education in the ward included the construction and renovation of classrooms, laboratories, toilets and information and communication technology (ICT) rooms.
“Within one year, the central government and the municipal council have allocated 718bn/- for education projects in our ward. I commend the artisans involved for using their skills to restore this furniture at a lower cost compared with purchasing new items,” she said.
Dar es Salaam Regional CCM Secretary, Mr Stanley Mkandawile said the initiative demonstrated how leaders could address challenges facing public schools while supporting the implementation of the ruling party’s election manifesto.
He said some pupils had previously been forced to sit on the floor due to shortages of desks, affecting their learning, and urged other MPs to emulate the initiative.
Mr Mkandawile also called on leaders to continue working with Ms Kairuki to address other school challenges, including shortages of toilets.
CCM National Executive Committee member, Mr Juma Gadafi commended the legislator for implementing the party’s manifesto, describing the campaign as an example of how leaders could use their positions to address challenges affecting communities.
According to Goba Ward Education Officer Ezekiel Msingi, the ward has seven public primary schools with 12,085 pupils and six secondary schools with 4,560 students.
He said the furniture rehabilitation campaign focused on restoring damaged items that could still be used, rather than buying replacements.
Moreover, Ubungo District Commissioner, Mr Albert Msando warned public officials against delaying the implementation of government directives, saying those who failed to fulfil their responsibilities should not continue holding their positions.
He directed education officers, head teachers and ward officials to identify damaged desks and ensure they were transported to schools in need by Monday.
Mr Msando said there was no justification for pupils to continue lacking desks when funds for transporting repaired furniture were available.
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