HMT @ the Tanzania Education Week in Dodoma

Hassan Maajar Trust (HMT) participated in the First Tanzania Education Week held at the Dodoma Jamhuri Stadium from 3^rd – 10^th May 2014., Education Week is a major event that will benefit teachers, students and education throughout the country.

Students @ the Jamuhuri Stadium

The theme was “Quality Education is possible for all; Play your Role”, which stressed the significance of every community member to participate in advancing the education sector.

The theme resonated well with HMT’s Mission for its flagship Programme the “Desk for Every Child” through which over 12,000 primary school children were lifted from the floor and onto desks in the First Phase of the Desk Rollout.

Library photo: HMT banner

Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda who officiated the opening of the Education Week visited a few pavilions and HMT’s was one where he made a prolonged stop talking to the Vice Chair and Desk Committee Chair.

PM Pinda

VC Shariff Maajar serving a customer

Later in his Keynote Speech, Hon, Pinda told the audience that Primary Schools in the country were facing a shortage of about 1.4 million desks, directing the Ministry of Education to take deliberate steps to address the problem that affects academic performance of students.  Referring to his tour of the exhibits the PM singled out HMT for mention in praise for its founder and Chair, Amb. Mwanaidi Maajar, for her thoughtfulness and patriotism. He had this to say; “I was happy to visit the Hassan Maajar Trust pavilion. There I was told they have already coordinated the distribution of 4,000 desks in six regions thereby lifting 12,000 pupils off the floor”!

Library photo: HMT Founder and Chair Amb. Maajar

The PM further went on to add. “Statistics I have show that Tanzania needs about 3.3 million desks for her primary schools and only 1.8 million available. We have a deficit of 1.4 million and it cost Hassan Maajar Trust about Sh120, 000 per desk depending on availability of wood and carpentry.” Based on this, the PM estimated that the Government could gradually address the deficit in five years to cost Sh 36, billion at 300,000 desks per year. He directed the Ministry for Education officials to sit with HMT to work out a strategy of ending the desk deficit problem, the shame of students sitting on the floor and make this a permanent agenda .

Library photo: Njombe Desk handover

HMT enjoyed networking opportunities in Dodoma striking partnerships with likeminded institutions and individuals that want to improve the education environment in schools throughout the country. One Business Tycoon in Dodoma had this to say; “It is community duty for us all, you at Hassan Maajar Trust you embraced it first and now you are inviting us to join you. We are grateful and we support you.”

 Chamwino A students writing from the floor

Wisiko pleading for desks for his school

 Potential beneficiaries were in abundance. For example, Students from Chamwino ‘A’ Primary School took advantage of the HMT presence at the Stadium to send a strong message; writing from the floor! From Sokoine Primary School, Kizota, a prospective Alumnae, Joseph Wisiko cashed in to plead for desks for his school, noting that in his class (V) only four students have desks!

TV cameras did not miss the opportunity either. 

Tafakari Time Interviews the Desk Committee Chair

Hon. Kawambwa MOEVT

Mr. Omari Issa from the  PDB

 Other VIP Visitors to the Hassan Maajar pavilion were Hon. Kawambwa, Minister for Education and Vocational Training (MOEVT), Omari Issa, President's Delivery Bureau (PDB), and Hon. Hawa Ghasia, TAMISEMI among others.

Hon. Hawa Ghasia of TAMISEMI

Hassan Maajar Trust shared the limelight with Mama Clementina Foundation (MCF) and Weruweru Alumnae Foundation (WAF), in the same pavilion! It was great honour when Mama Kamm the great Educationalist and who is a pillar to the three institutions arrived. Star TV was close by to interview her. 

 

Mama Kamm on TV

Behind the scenes HMT had many cheerers and helping hands.

Hugo

Mwimbe

Marlene