Teachers Awards Ceremony launched

The Education and Expedition Agency Association (EEAA) has officially launched Teachers Awards Ceremony which is to be carried out annually, with this year’s ceremony to be held on November 25.

During the launching ceremony which was held on Tuesday in Dar es Salaam, EEAA’s chairman Emmanuel Mjema challenged the government to provide direct financial incentives to teachers in public and private schools countrywide so as to help improve the country’s education standard.

He said the country’s education standard has declined and this is mainly due to lack of commitment from teachers whose salaries are meager and their demands for salary increment have not been considered by the government.

“The awards are to motivate the teachers, recognise their efforts and appreciate them for the critical role they play in molding minds and laying foundations critical for children to contribute to the development of the country,” he said.

Mjema commended the government’s efforts to put up new schools, provision of study materials and other facilities but yet there is a need to improve the quality of education. He argued that teachers cannot deliver services to children if they aren’t financially stable.

On the other hand, Teachers Awards Organising Committee member, Zuena Kipingu called upon citizens to also chip in their contributions to the Awards saying that it’s important because it is the teachers who shape people’s lives.

“Let us donate something to our teachers for it is because of their efforts that we are where we are today,” she said.

Preparations to raise funds for the Award began on November 4 at Diamond Jubilee whereby the total pledge was 143m/-. So far the organising committee has collected 42m/- only.

The competition will involve participants from both public and private schools, selected from 18 regions on Tanzania mainland and Zanzibar, who will have to meet strict requirements in order to qualify for the competition.

The overall winner will receive an attractive package of 55m/- and a five year scholarship award.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN