Elimu ya usawa wa Kijinsia yawezesha mageuzi makubwa Kielimu Mbeya

* Shule ya wasichana ya Galijembe yaongoza kimkoa

*Halmashauri yaanza ujenzi wa shule nyingine ya wasichana, kufunguliwa 2024

*Mpango wa Chakula mashuleni wasisitizwa

*Halmashauri yaendelea kutenga bajeti kwa taulo za kike mashuleni

Na Deogratius  Temba, Mbeya

Mafunzo ya Elimu ya Uandaaji wa Bajeti yenye mrengo wa kijinsia kwa watendaji wa Halmashauri, Madiwani na jamii yamefanikisha mageuzi makubwa ya kielimu katika halmashauri ya wilaya ya Mbeya.

Picha hii ilipigwa mwaka 2021, wakati wawezeshaji wa bajeti yenye mrengo wa Kijinsia kutoka TGNP walipoitembelea shule hiyo. wakiwa pamoja na Mwenyekiti wa Halmashauri Mhe. Mwalingo Kisemba na Mkuu wa shule hiyo Mwalimu 

Mafunzo, semina na warsha mbalimbali ambazo zimekuwa zikifanywa na Mtandao wa Jinsia Tanzania (TGNP) tangu mwaka 2013 kwa viongozi wa halmashauri na jamii kupitia vituo vya taarifa na maarifa imechangia Halmashauri kuona umuhimu wa watoto wa kike kupata elimu bora kwa kuweka mazingira salama na yenye kuvutia ili wasichana wapate elimu nzuri.

Akizungumza na Mwandishi wetu, Mwenyekiti wa halmashauri ya wilaya ya Mbeya Mwalingo Kisemba, amesema kwamba kutokana na elimu iliyotolewa na kujnegwa uwezo juu ya masuala ya Kijinsia, viongozi wa Halmashauri waliona umuhimu wa kuwa na shule maalum za wasichana na zenye mazingira salama ili kuongeza idadi ya wasichana wanaomaliza kidato cha nne na kufaulu vizuri na kuondoa changamoto za kijinsia zilizokuwa zikichangia utoro na mimba za utotoni kwa wasichana.

Picha ya Waraghibishi / wakufunzi wa bajeti yenye mrengo wa Kijinsia Dr. Geofrey Chambua na Deogratus Temba, walipoitembelea shule hiyo mwaka 2021. 

“Sisi baada ya kujengewa uwezo, tulitambua umuhimu wa mtoto wa kike kupata elimu, lakini tukakubaliana ndani ya halmashauri kwamba tuweke mikakati ya kupata shule nzuri. Lakini wananchi wa kata hizi nao walikuwa wameshapata uelewa wa elimu hii kupitia TGNP, waliweza kutusaidia kuhamasishana na kukubaliana kutoa nguvu kazi na michango yao na kuweza kuijenga shule ya Galijembe.” Alisema Mwenyekiti.

Anaongeza kwamba, TGNP ilifika Mbeya Zaidi ya miaka 10 iliyopita, wazo hili lilikuwa bado, lakini kutokana na uchechemuzi uliokuwa unafanyika baada ya uraghibishi na kuanzishwa kwa vituo vya taarifa na Maarifa, wa kudai uwepo wa shule karibu na makazi ya watu ili kupunguza umbali kwa wasichana wanaotembea kwenda shule na kukumbana na vishawishi njiani na kupata ujauzito, wananchi wa kata za Tembela na Ijombe walifuatilia kwa mamkala za serikali ngazi ya Halmashauri, na kuwezesha kuchokoza wazo hilo kuibuliwa na kuanyiwa kazi pamoja na kwamba lilichukua muda mrefu.

Baadhi ya majengo ya shule ya sekondari ya wasichana ya Galijembe, Mbeya DC hiyo yanavyoonekana kwa sasa.

Kwa upande wake, Makamu Mkuu wa Shule ya wasichana ya Galijembe, Mtango Nimziaeli, alisema kwamba shule hiyo ilianzishwa mwaka 2019, ikiwa na wanafunzi 50 na walimu watato (5) ambao sasa wapo walimu 25 wakiwemo wa kike saba (7) na wa kiume 18.

Alisema kwamba, shule hiyo licha ya kwamba imechukua wanafunzi wenye ufaulu wa kawaida tu kwa shule za msingi za Halmashauri hiyo, matokeo ya kidato cha nne kwa mwaka 2022 ufaulu ni wa juu na wa kuridhisha kwani shule imekuwa ya kwanza kimkoa, ikiwa na ufaulu wa madaraja kama ifuatavyo; daraja la kwanza 20, la pili 20 na la tatu 10, ambapo hakuna daraja la nne wala sifuri.

Mwenyekiti wa Halmashauri Mwalingo Kisemba, akiwa na Walimu pamoja na wageni kutoka TGNP waliotembelea shuleni hapo hivi karibuni 

Mwalimu Mtango alisema kwamba wanafunzi waliofaulu vizuri pia walifanya vizuri masomo ya sayansi na wengi wao wamepangwa kusomea michepuo ya sayansi kwa  kidato cha tano na wengine  wataenda vyuo vya kati kusomea kozi za sayansi.

Akizungumzia siri ya mafainikio ya shule hiyo, Mwalimu Mtango alisema: “…ni jitihada za waalimu tu, Mkuu wa shule anajitahidi sana kujenga timu imara na kupanga safu yake vizuri, kuna kutiana moyo, kila mwalimu anajitahidi vya kutosha.

“kuna wakati hata uongozi unashangaa jinsi ambavyo waalimu wanajitahidi, kila mmoja ana moyo na kazi, waalimu wapo tayari kuchelewa kutoka shuleni au kuwahi hapa shuleni ili kuwandaa wanafunzi kwa mitihani.  Ni timu ya walimu ambayo kwa kweli imejitoa, wanajituma  kiukweli, tuna bahati ya kuwa na timu hii ya waalimu, kila mmoja anaipenda kazi yake na anawajibika kwa kiwango cha juu, ndio maana tumepata haya matokeo mazuri” alisema Mwalimu Mtango.

Lakini pia, Mwalimu huyo aliongeza kwamba, uzalendo kwa Halmashauri pia umechangia kwani kila mwalimu anaiona shule kwamba ni taasisi ya halmashauri na ni lazima ailetee Halmashauri heshima.

Mwenyekiti wa Halmashauri alisema kwama, kipaumbele cha halmashauri ni Elimu, na wataka kuona kila mwananchi wa Halmashauri anaelewa dhana hiyo, na lengo ni kuhakikisha watoto wa kike wanafaulu vizuri na wanatimiza ndoto zao.

Anaongeza kwamba: “ hata ukiangalia miundombinu ya shule, tumezingatia mahitaji maalum ya wasichana, vyumba maalum vya kubadilishia wakati wa hedhi vipo, taulo za kike kila mara tunawapatia, na tumeweka kwenye bajeti ya Halmashauri, tunaendelea kuzingatia mahitaji ya kisera kwa uwiano wa matundu ya vyoo kwa shule zetu kuhakikisha matundu ya vyoo yanaongezeka.”

Pia aliongeza kwamba, kati ya shule 152 za msingi kwa halmashauri hiyo, Zaidi ya asilimia 85 ya shule  wanafunzi wanapata chakula ili kupunguza utoro.

“nimesema kila mara na madiwani wenzangu na wataalamu wetu kwamba, halmashauri hii sitaki kuona utapia mlo, nataka watoto wasome vizuri na wapate ufaulu, kwahiyo hapa Mbeya sisi hatuna shida ya chakula au nafaka, kila mzazi ni lazima atoe au kuchangia chakula shuleni ili watoto wakue vizuri na kufaulu masomo” alisema Kisemba.

Alisema kwamba, kutokana na uelewa sasa wa masuala ya usawa wa Kijinsia, na jinsi ambavyo TGNP imeendelea kuweka nguvu ya kujenga uwezo kwa jamii  kupitia vituo vya taarifa na maarifa, wananchi walichangia ujenzi wa shule hiyo, na sasa wanachangishana kujenga shule nyingine ya wasichana inayoitwa shule ya Sekondari ya wasichana ya Pareto, Ilembo, tarafa ya Isagati (Pareto Girls Secondary school) ambayo wamewaomba wadau wa pareto kuchangia pia. 

MWALIMU ALIYEKUWA ANAISHI DARASANI AJENGEWA NYUMBA NA WANANCHI

 

SALVATORY NTANDU, Shinyanga

Uwepo wa Vituo vya Taarifa na Maarifa Katika Wilaya ya Kishapu, Mkoani Shinyanga umetajwa kuwa kichocheo muhimu katika ujenzi wa Vuguvugu na mabadiliko chanya kwenye jamii ambapo katika Kijiji cha Miyuguyu, Kata ya Kiloleli,  wilayani Kishapu wamefanikiwa kuhamasisha wananchi kujenga nyumba mpya ya Mwalimu na matundu 12 ya vyoo katika Shule ya Msingi Miyuguyu.

Mwezeshaji kutoka TGNP akiwa kwenye mazungumzo na baadhi ya wanajamii wa Kijiji cha Miyuguyu wakati wa tathimini ya mafanikio ya Vituo vya Taarifa na Maarifa.

Hayo yamebainishwa katika Kikao cha Tathimini ya hali ya utendaji kazi wa Kituo cha Taarifa na Maarifa katika kata hiyo, ambapo Agness Kwilasa katibu wa kituo hicho, amesema mafanikio hayo yamesababishwa na hamasa iliyotokana na Bunge la jamii lililoendeshwa na Kituo hicho kwa kushirikiana na uongozi wa vijiji katika kata hiyo.

Vituo vya Taarifa na Maarifa huanzishwa na Mtandao wa Jinsia Tanzania (TGNP) kwenye ngazi ya Kata, baada ya kufanya uraghibishi ambao huwawezesha wananchi kutambua nafasi yao, kwa kuibua changamoto, kuzichambua na kuweka mikakati ya kuzitatua wakiwa wameshirikiana na viongozi wao ngazi ya kitongoji, kijiji, kata na Halmashauri. Aidha, Vituo hivi hushirikiana na viongozi wa serikali za Vijiji kuendesha Bunge la Jamii ambalo ni seheu ya kujenga mijadala namna ya kututua changamoto hizo.

Jengo la matundu 12 ya vyoo ambayo jamii ya kijiji cha Miyuguyu walishirikiana na viongozi na wadau wengine kuyajenga baada ya kujengewa uwezo na TGNP

Katibu huyo wa Kituo, amesema kabla ya kuanzishwa kwa kituo hicho mwitikio wa jamii kushiriki shughuli za maendeleo ulikuwa mdogo lakini baada ya Mtandao wa jinsia Tanzania (TGNP) kufanya uraghibishi na kuwawezesha kuanzisha Kituo, baadaye kuendesha midahalo  ya Bunge la jamii, wananchi walielekeza mijadala kwenye uhaba wa miundombinu kwenye sekta za elimu na afya, ambapo waliafikiana na kuweka mikakati ya kutatua changamoto hizo kwa haraka ili kuweka mazingira mazuri katika upatikanaji wa elimu.

 “ wakati wa uraghibishi tuliziibua changamoto zilizokuwa zinakikabili kata yetu ambapo wananchi waliazimia kujenga nyumba ya mwalimu ambaye alikuwa anaishi katika moja ya Ofisi katika Shule ya Msingi Miyuguyu kutokana na uhaba wa makazi ya walimu,”amesema Kwilasa.

Naye Hamis Mashauri Ofisa Mtendaji wa kijiji hicho amesema tatizo la uhaba wa nyumba za walimu katika shule ya Msingi Miyuguyu linasababisha walimu kushindwa kutekeleza majukumu yao ipasavyo ndio maana wanakijiji walihamasika na kuamua kujenga nyumba hiyo ili kuboresha mazingira bora ya kufanyia kazi.

“Shule hii inawanafunzi 524, madarasa sita, walimu wapo sita na nyumba za walimu zipo tatu mbili zizojengwa na serikali na moja iliyojengwa na wananchi baada ya Bunge la Jamii, mwalimu wa kike yupo mmoja tu na inauhaba wa walimu 11,”amesema Mashauri.

Mwezeshaji kutoka TGNP, Deogratius Temba,  akiwaeleza wanajamii wa Kijiji cha Miyuguyu, Kata ya Kiloleli, umuhimu wa kuendelea kushirikiana na viongozi na kuhamasishana kushiriki kwenye shughuli za maendeleo

Kwa upande wake Getrude Missana Mwalimu wa shule ya Msingi Miyuguyu amesema awali kabla ya kujengewa nyumba hiyo alikuwa anaishi katika moja ya ofisi katika Shuleni hapo hali iliyokuwa inamuwia vigumu kutekeleza majukumu yake hadi alipohamia katika nyumba iliyojengwa na wakazi wa kijiji hicho.

Wazee wa Kijiji hicho wakiwa kwenye vikundi vya majadiliano wakati wa tathimini. 

“Tunaiomba serikali ituboreshe mazingira ya kazi ikiwemo ujenzi wa Makazi ya walimu katika vituo vya kazi ili kutimiza majukumu yetu ipasavyo,hapa mimi ni mwalimu wa kike peke yangu niliyesalia wengi wakipangiwa wanaomba uhamisho kutokana na changamoto hizi,”amesema Missana.

Diwani wa kata hiyo, Edward Manyama, aliishukuru TGNP kwa kuwajengea uwezo wananchi wa kata hiyo na kujitambua hasa kuwa na moyo wa kujitoa katika shughuli za maendeleo.

Nyumba iliyojengwa na wananchi ili kumtoa mwalimu asiendelee kuishi kwenye darasa la shule hiyo , ambapo alikuwa akiishi na kukosa uhuru wa kutekeleza wajibu wake kikamilifu

Alisema kwamba, pamoja na Halmashauri kuanza  kutatua kero mbalimbali zinazowakabili wakazi wa kijiji cha Miyuguyu na vijiji vingine ikiwemo ya walimu ambapo kwa sasa shule hiyo inakabiliwa na uhaba wa walimu 11 na waliopo ni sita pekee, bado nguvu ya jamii katika kushiriki kwenye shughuli za maendeleo inahitajika sana.

Nyumba iliyojengwa na wananchi ili kumtoa mwalimu asiendelee kuishi kwenye darasa la shule hiyo , ambapo alikuwa akiishi na kukosa uhuru wa kutekeleza wajibu wake kikamilifu

“Ofisi ya Mkurugenzi wa Halmashauri ya Kishapu imeahidi kuleta walimu wapya katika Shule ya Msingi Miyuguyu,niwaombe wananchi waendelee kutoa ushirikiano kwao ili waweze kutimiza majumu ya kuwafundisha watoto wetu,”amesema Manyama.

Awali akizungumza wajumbe wa Kituo cha Taarifa na Maarifa  cha Kata ya Kiloleli kwenye Kijiji cha Miyuguyu Mwezeshaji kutoka TGNP, Deogratius Temba,  alipongeza jitihada zizofanikisha kujengwa kwa nyumba ya mwalimu ambaye awali alikuwa akiishi kwenye darasa mojawapo shuleni hapo.

“TGNP inawajengea uwezo wananchi kupitia vituo hivi ili waweze kuibua changamoto zinazowakabili na kuzipatia suluhisho wenyewe kwa kushirikiana na viongozi wao, ujenzi wa nyumba hii na matundu ya vyoo 12 ni kielelezo kwamba Wakazi wa kijiji cha Miyuguyu wamebadilika na wameamua kushiriki katika shughuli za maendeleo kwa pamoja,”amesema Temba na kuongeza:

“ sio hii tu, wakazi wa Kata hii kupitia Bunge la Jamii wamefanikiwa kujenga matundu 24 ya vyoo katika shule ya msingi Kiloleli, ambapo choo cha awali cha wnaafunzi kilikuwa kimejaa kabisa na kutitia, Bunge la Jamii lilipofanyika pale shuleni, kila mwanajamii alitakiwa kuangalia kile choo na kupendekeza jambo la

Mwisho.

Global Peace Foundation Tanzania and UNDP join forces to promote peace

GPF Country Director Ms. Martha Nghambi gave her remarks during the joint analysis for the Peace stakeholders session opening in Kilwa District.

By Dr. Fatma Waziri;

 United Nations asserts that Peacebuilding involves a range of measures targeted to reduce the risk of falling into conflict by strengthening national capacities at all levels for conflict management and laying the foundations for sustainable peace and development. 

 In order to sustain peace and progress toward the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals, all countries need to address violence and conflicts effectively. 

However, in all communities-especially where administrative and social services are lacking, the resulting is a common driver of conflicts. Hence there is significant evidence to include administrative and social services among the set of choices available to directly support peacebuilding in any given context. Addressing the root causes of conflict on the need for peacebuilding is vital.

 It is from this end, Global Peace Foundation Tanzania (GPF), in partnership with UNDP, designed, and is implementing the project "Dumisha Amani kwa Maendeleo Endelevu"- Promoting Peace for Sustainable Development in Lindi, Mtwara, and Ruvuma regions. 

 With funding from UNDP, this project is expected to last 12 months, ending in December 2023. This project is a continuation of a successful partnership between UNDP, the Prime Ministers’ Office (labour, Youth, Employment, and persons with Disabilities), and Tanzania Police Force which has existed since the implementation of the #VijananaAmani255 (YouthandPeace) project 2021/2022.

Stakeholders from Ruvuma, Lindi, and Mtwara Regional and Districts commissioners, PMO office, UNDP, Tanzania Police Force, and Global Peace Foundation during 'Dumisha Amani' inception meeting in Mtwara

When analyzing conflict in developing countries, scholars generally point to factors such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and wealth contribution, military issues, religious and ethnic divisions, and employment rates as indicators of whether or not a state is likely to remain politically stable and internally peaceful. 

Tanzania exhibits many factors that encourage conflicts; highly volatile neighbors like Mozambique, Kenya, and Malawi have suffered the impact of violent extremism.

 The spill-over indicators include the media reports of Tanzanians engaging in violence as foreign terrorist fighters within the border of Tanzania, Mozambique, Kenya, and Malawi, to mention some. Additionally, Tanzania is as well in a dangerous position demographically. 

According to the British Council Next generation summary report Tanzania (2016), ten million Tanzanians, almost one-fifth of the population, are aged between 15 and 24 with the median age being just 17 years. 

 According to the Legal Human Rights Situation Report (LHRC-2019), the rate of violence and violent acts in Tanzania is high, especially among the youth. With 66% under the age of 25 already, and the figure set to rise significantly, understanding young people and their situation is critical in Tanzania.

Kilwa District Commissioner Hon. Christopher Ndumbiagai giving his opinion during the joint analysis for Peace Dividends in his district

Young people in Tanzania play a crucial role in peace-building and national stability. However, due to communities’ pull and push factors and rational engagement, many young people feel economically marginalized, have little livelihood perspectives, and do not acknowledge the government's legitimacy. 

 Some of the pull and push factors, including weak child protection mechanisms, high youth unemployment, poverty, food insecurity, and naivety, make these groups vulnerable to improper doctrines from violent groups.

 Conflicts and Extremist violence are more prevalent in areas with weak or non-existent formal state structures. In an effort to address the increasing threats of violent extremism and build resilience among communities in Tanzania, the 'Dumisha Amani kwa Maendeleo Endelevu' project is the key. 

The project aims to support the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania in countering violent extremism and fostering peace within communities for sustainable development. 

The project targets a wide range of beneficiaries but is not limited to youth, women, girls, and community members residing in the districts of Mtwara (Tandahimba and Mtwara), Lindi (Kilwa and Nachingwea), and Ruvuma (Tunduru and Nyasa).

GPF Country Director Ms Martha Nghambi (3rd from right), GPF Programs Director Dr. Fatma Waziri (4th from right), Irene Ishengoma,GPF M&E manager (6th from right) in a group photo with Mtawanye Group women in the catalyzing  innovation into Smart Aquaculture project in Mtwara

The project is linking specific bankable peace dividends towards the peace-building process. Engaging various stakeholders will build resilience and empower communities while reducing social tension through these peace dividends for example by the provision of social services, attending to youth information and technological needs with facilities, and strengthening economic pathways targeting women and youth through catalyzing innovation into Smart Aquaculture and above all, advocating for youth and women meaningful participation as peace champions. 

 Through these interventions, the project holds promise for a safer and more prosperous future for the country as it intentionally fosters nonviolent behaviors and supports peacebuilding efforts at its critical juncture in the peace process. 

 In a joint analysis meeting for a peace dividend in Kilwa, the Kilwa District commissioner Mr Christopher Mgubi emphasized information as capital in today’s world. Despite the fact that Kilwa is rich in natural resources including forests, minerals, and ocean, youth have a lot of opportunities, however according to him “… in today’s world, information is capital” he says.

 Hence the ICT facility for Kilwa will help the youth to connect the dots and succeed. In its course of implementation, the project involves the Tanzania Police Force, Local Government Authorities at Regional, District, and community levels, religious leaders, youth, women, girls, and community members in respective districts. 

 In this project, the Police Force will develop a mobile application that allows community members to report crimes or terrorism. This technological advancement aims to improve reporting efficiency and accuracy by replacing traditional landline-based reporting methods. 

 During the stakeholder’s project inception meeting on April 2023, UNDP representative Mr. Gamaliel Sunu outlined the importance of the Early Warnings Systems (EWRS) system in enabling timely detection, deterrence, and response to security threats.

 As far as the threat to peace and security is concerned, the project is intentionally linked between peacebuilding activities and peace dividends for a sustainable Tanzania. Experience and studies indicate that young people, especially females, are disproportionately affected. 

To address this, Dumisha Amani Prioritize the inclusion of women and girls by (60%) of all direct beneficiaries belonging to these demographic groups in each targeted district. These individuals will receive specialized training as community peace champions, empowering them to actively engage in community peace activities for a sustainable Tanzania. 

 In her closing remarks, Mrs. Martha Nghambi, the Country Director of Global Peace Foundation Tanzania underscored the significance of ongoing collaboration for the project's effective implementation;

 “A house is made of numerous bricks, and each brick holds equal value, for the absence of anyone would lead to the collapse of the entire structure. Hence, without the collective efforts of all individuals, our goal remains unattainable," she emphasized.