ISLES HALTS FOOD PROVISIONS FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS, INSTITUTES

The government of Zanzibar has suspended food provision for students of secondary schools and higher learning institutions due to shortages of funds.

This was said by Zanzibar Minister for Education and Vocational Training, Ramadhan Abdalla Shaban when presenting his ministry’s budget estimates for the 2011/2012 fiscal year during the House of Representatives meeting going on here.

He said the government has decided to suspend the service due to financial constraints. He added: “Students staying in boarding schools are those who can personally sustain themselves with food throughout.”

The minister however, didn’t mention the amount of money the government was spending in purchasing food for boarding school students in the country.

Shaban explained that there were 1,527 students who were enrolled in boarding schools of whom 610 were girls. He said the number has decreased because in the 2009/2010 fiscal year, a total of 1,693 students were enrolled in boarding schools.

He thanked Isles residents especially parents for their tolerance during the difficult period, adding that the government appreciates parents who have heartily decided to continue providing food for their children.

He identified the affected schools and higher institutions as Karume vocational training with 77 students, Mazizini Islamic college (235), Fidel-Castro secondary school (425), Utaani secondary school (225) Kengeja secondary school (160), Teherani secondary school (14), Kiuyu Islamic college (246) and Mkokotoni secondary school with a total of 145 students.

He said that starting this financial year, the government will establish first aid medical services in all boarding schools and higher learning. He said efforts are also underway to ensure environmental protection in areas surrounding the schools.

Shaban further told the House of Reps that during the past fiscal year, 28 female students were reported to have been made pregnant. He said three of the female students were made pregnant by fellow male students.

He said the government in collaboration with the school committee organised a joint meeting with the pregnant girls whereby eight among them agreed to continue with their studies after delivery. He said the remaining schoolgirls didn’t show up during the meeting.

The Minister said a total of 22 schoolgirls were married off before completing their studies. He said that two of them involved schoolboys who dropped from school to marry their fellow students.

He said 24 students- 22 girls and 2 boys- were suspended under the Education Act number 6 of 1982, section 20 (3) for different reasons.

The minister requested the House of Reps to endorse 102.6bn/- for the recurrent and development expenditures for the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training for the fiscal year 2011/2012.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN