Deputy state minister in the Prime Minister's Office (Regional Administration and Local Government – Education) Kassim Majaliwa has threatened to sack Mpwapwa Secondary School headmaster Vicent Gervas over failure to improve sanitation.
Majaliwa gave the headmaster two weeks to
improve the school environment, sanitation services in particular,
failure of which stern actions would be taken against him, including
suspension from his job.
Information availed by the ministry’s
office of Information and Communications said, Majaliwa witnessed the
school’s poor environment during a surprise visit of the school
recently.
“Mr Headmaster, do you see this? How come
you let students eat in a place that is not safe and clean?" Majaliwa
asked the headmaster when he inspected the students’ mess at the school,
which apparently was dirty with cobwebs on its roofs and windows.
“We have entrusted you with the care of
the young people studying here, it is your duty to protect them in
whichever way you can from all types of dangers, including diseases," he
said.
Addressing the school community, Majaliwa
called for improved hygiene and sanitation at the school in order to
prevent disease outbreaks such as cholera and dysentery.
Through representatives, the students said
their school was facing challenges including lack of toilets, textbooks
and other essential services, including treatment when they fall sick.
Responding, Majaliwa said that the
government has set aside a total of 54bn/- for purchasing books that
would be distributed to schools countrywide.
Regarding health services, the Deputy
Minister instructed Mpwapwa District Executive Director to set aside a
room at the school for conducting first aid and providing emergency
health services.
