Category Archives: Education

Audit Accountability Initiative project launches brilliantly

Category : Community , Education

SHIPO in collaboration with WAJIBU Institute of Public Accountability launched a special project on accountability. The project was officially introduced in both Makambako Town Council and Njombe District Commissioner’s office on the 21st and 23rd March 2023 respectively. The project is an initiative designed to address accountability challenges pertaining local government system failure that hinders implementation of audit recommendations issued by the Controller and Auditor General. The project is a learning initiative on knowing what kind of communication is effective to trigger stakeholder’s action, how do different stakeholders act and behave during engagement sessions, why non state actors engage or dis-engage in demanding for accountability, how does different actors play their roles in pushing for implementation of CAG’s recommendations and on what it take for the government stakeholders to act on audit recommendations.

The project will be implemented in Makambako Town Council involving 2 primary schools namely Azimio and Idofi. Specifically this 6 month project aims to:

  • Improve government allocation, disbursement, and effective spending on basic education infrastructure.
  • Improve school infrastructure as measured by Basic Education Statistics in Tanzania (BEST).
  • Improve processes and mechanisms to improve the condition of the education infrastructure (E.g. Needs assessment, articulated plan, timely inspections, and follow up of inspection report / recommendations and quality assurance).
  • Obtain action from governments on the implementation of the CAG’s recommendations
  • Improve communication on implementation of CAG’s recommendations among various oversight actors, including civil society groups, media, and legislators
  • Prepare an advocacy paper that clearly defines the proper line of responsibilities and accountability of who and who are in the implementation of the CAG recommendations as far as primary school infrastructure is concerned.
  • Document lessons on effective communication that triggers stakeholders’ action towards implementation of CAGs recommendation. The introduction sessions were attended by government officials including 11 from Makambako Town Council and 3 from Njombe District Commissioner’s office. In both levels, the respective authorities accepted the project and promised superb cooperation.

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PROGRESS ACTIVITY FOR LATRINE CONSTRACTION MWEMBETOGWA B PRIMARY SCHOOL IN MAKAMBAKO TOWN COUNCIL

Category : Community , Education , Ongoing

1.0. INTRODUCTION

1.1. Background information

Mwembetogwa B primary school is one of the schools built by SHIPO in cooperation with the community members of Makambako town ship around 2006 and handed over to the community. In 2007 the school was officially opened starting with pupils who were split from Mwembetogwa making this one to be Mwembetogwa B. Following the good infrastructures built, pupils have been performing better to make so many pupils be selected to join with secondary schools around Njombe Region and through out the country. However since SHIPO handed over the school to the community it has still been maintaining friendship through visitation.

In one of the visits SHIPO managed to learn that there is rapid increase of the number of pupils in the school, but the drop holes are not enough for the increasing number of pupils and even those available are of no good quality, there fore this made SHIPO find a need to support these pupils with building drop holes in cooperation with the community members.

During visits we realized some other things that are going well and some that might need to be considered for rehabilitation and the general school information as shown here bellow;

  • Head teachers name: Frowin o. Haule
  • School registration number: EM. 15709
  • Examination number: PS
  • Total number of pupils 589 (Male 270 and 319 Female)
  • The school has 11 teachers (2 Males and 9 Females)

 2.0 Good things observed;

  • All standard IV,V,VI and VII master 3R.
  • The school have 9 classes to accommodate the available number of pupils.
  • Pupils get lunch while at school contributed by parents as follows;
  • 40 liters of maize to every pupil per year.
  • 14 liters of beans for every pupil per year.
  • 10 liters of rice for every pupil per year and
  • 20,000/= every parent. This helps to buy salt, cooking oil, paying the cooker and the school watchman.
  • They have a borehole as a source of water for uses at school
  • The school have 2 blocks of drop holes, 1 for boys pupils and 1 for girls pupils, each block has 8 drop holes good for pupils use, and more over each block have 1 drop hole for the disabled pupils.
  • Lunch is provided at school through parents contributions (parents contribute maize, beans, rice, salt and cooking oil.

3.0. Challenges observed;

  • The school have 2 blocks of drop holes, 1 for boys pupils and 1 for girls pupils, each block has 16 drop holes to make a total of 32 drop holes in the school but they are not good for pupils use, and do not consider disabled pupils though they are not there in the school.
  • They do not have school library for reference books.
  • They do not have kitchen with dining hall where they can cook and eat.
  • No special room for girls pupils.
  • Books are also a challenge to meet pupils ratio.

4.0. Way forward

 SHIPO as one of the stakeholders in education and child protection, in cooperation with the community members of Makambako have so far started the processes of contraction of toilet at Mwembetogwa B. primary school as one of its contribution to the community in valuing education and child protection.

5.0 Some photos taken at the site

Figure 1&2:  Contraction materials bricks and sand collected

Figure 3: The level of pit latrine dug up

6.0. Conclusion

Activities  for collection of sand, bricks, gravels, stones and building  the pit are still going on by SHIPO masons and  the community members of Makambako town ship as beneficiaries of the project.


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Linking and learning workshop

Category : Community , Education

SHIPO led a linking and learning workshop on participatory approaches in community development for Tanzanian organizations that work with Wilder Ganzen. The goal of Wilde Ganzen is to help poor people become more self-sufficient in their basic needs. Persuaded that by allowing communities to set their own priorities, they become change agents rather than recipients of aid. In this case, Wilde Ganzen has started a movement aimed at ending poverty from the ground up and promoting community-based development.

With this movement, there is hope that these organizations will be inspired and enabled to work on long-term poverty reduction not only for themselves but also (where possible) in collaboration with local communities.

Download and read the full report:


Water storage infrastructure in 9 schools in Ludewa

Project Name

Water storage infrastructure in 9 schools in Ludewa

Project Code

TZNJ117B

Project Donor

AUARA

Project Budget

Tshs 38,219,240.00

Project timeframe

May 2021 – November 2021.

Project location

This project was located in Ludewa district, specifically in Figanga, Mbwila, Itundu, Kiyombo, Wecha, Lupande Milo, Masaula and Sambala primary schools.

Project beneficiaries

The direct beneficiaries of the project are 2779 pupils (1409 girls and 1370 boys), the teachers and some households nearby some of the schools like Masaula, who now count with a reliable source of water.

Project description

The objective of the project was to construct water storage infrastructures and water points in 9 primary schools and connect them to the existing and nearest water distribution networks to improve the access to water in the schools.

The main project activities were 1) the technical assessments, 2) sensitization meetings, 3) Preparation of materials and tools, 4) Construction works and 5) Handing Over Ceremonies in the 9 schools.

Organizations / Businesses / Government Agencies Involved to implement the project

  • AURA
  • SHIPO
  • RUWASA
  • Local government authorities of Ludewa
  • Ludewa district

Project Status

Water storage infrastructures have been successfully installed in 9 primary schools, in 2 schools more than initially planned, benefiting 2779 pupils, who now have a better access to a reliable source of water. The project has been completed without any technical complication. Minor challenges with some of the communities in some specific activities included supporting the masons and technical personnel and in trench digging. However, the fact that SHIPO has been working with these communities for 7 years has been a big advantage to the project. Involving RUWASA, Ludewa district and the LGA-s has also been key to ensure the sustainability of the project in the future.


Boresha Elimu updates Q1 & Q2 2022

Tags :

Category : Community , Education

Summary of activities implemented grouped under project outputs

Improve Parents Engagement on Education Process of the Children

From April to May 2022, SHIPO, in collaboration with the Mbozi District Welfare Office and the Police Gender Desk, held a one-day public awareness meeting in 7 villages identified as having high child labour and violence against children’s rights. By June 2022, School Reports indicated an increase in parent attendance at quarterly school meetings from 1,174 (569-F; 695-M) parents in 2021 to 1,819 (848F; 971M) parents by June 2022.

In April to May 2022, SHIPO held a one-day strategic meeting with child rights and protection commit-tees in the mentioned vulnerable 7 villages to discuss how to address child rights and protection challenges by identifying children at risk and developing a plan to address issues at the school level.

Increased school attendance among girls and boys

From the 20th of May to the 17th of June 2022, 280 girls clubs members, 400 girls and boys (200F; 200M) child rights clubs, and 400 girls and boys (200F; 200M) health and environment clubs students in 20 schools received a one-day refresher training. They are based on the ability to recognize safe contraceptive devices for managing MHM in schools and at home, as well as safe methods for storing and disposing of used menstrual equipment, the relationship between menstrual hygiene and health, the concept of safe menstruation, and menstrual biology. Also, 400 boys were trained about gender competencies including MHM knowledge. 

Improved teaching quality in target schools

The purchase and provision of 31 desks since May 2022. Regarding the type and size of commonly produced desks, the desk-to-student ratio in this Grade-I decreased from 1:5 in an unusual ratio to 1:3 in a normal ratio so as to an improved learning environment observed where 93 boys and girls (47F; 46M) Grade-I students at Igamba Primary School who were seated down during learning in class benefited.


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MAMMIE III Achievements January to March 2021

Category : Community , Education

SHIPO via its MAMMIE project planned and conducted the following activities in the period from January to March 2021:

Distribution of vegetable seeds in the project schools

Distribution and planting supervision of 8 types of vegetable seeds in all 24 schools was done in January 2021 where each school received vegetable amounts as per below summary:

  • Chinese cabbage 208g
  • Carrots 208g
  • Sukuma wiki 125g
  • Cabbage 167g
  • Onions 125g
  • Swiss chard 125g
  • Mchicha 167g
  • Pumpkin 833g

8,451 pupils including 4,251 boys and 4,200 girls; and 181 teachers including 89 male and 92 female are the expected beneficiaries of the undertaking.

Distribution of avocado seedlings in the project schools

A total of 440 avocado seedlings were distributed in the 4 newly recruited project schools namely: Figanga, Masaula, Sambala and Mbwila primary schools. The activity was done in January 2021. A total of 832 pupils (429 boys, 403 girls) and 21 teachers (15 male, 6 female) will benefit from the project that is also intended to improve the pupils’ nutrition as well as stabilizing the institution economic statuses.

Along with the seeds and seedlings, SHIPO managed to supply the gardening tools to all 24 schools where each school received the following:

  • 5 Hoes           
  • 2 Rakes
  • 3 Watering canes     
  • 10 Buckets    
  • 5 Weeding hoes       

Monitoring of school gardens and avocado plantations in the project schools

All the 24 project schools’ gardens and avocado plantations were monitored. The supervisory visits were made by both SHIPO and government using their community development officer and ward agricultural extension officers respectively. The benefiting schools were advised on the proper agricultural practices of managing the gardens and plantations.  All the schools had harvested and provided vegetables in the pupils’ school meals. 18 out of the previous 20 project schools had harvested avocado fruits where some were provided to pupils and the remaining sold to obtain funds that resolved some schools’ challenges including procurement of teaching aids and paying subsistence allowances for the volunteering teachers.

Participation in the training and dissemination of the national biofortification guidelines

SHIPO participated in the training and dissemination of the national biofortification guidelines that happened at SHIPO conference on the 3rd February 2021 under the facilitation of The Principal Agriculture Officers from the Ministry of Agriculture. The following were achieved:

  • The national bio-fortification guidelines meeting was successful conducted as planned, and participants were very cooperative in sharing their thoughts towards improving the nutrition status in the region.

Provision of learning materials in the 24 project schools.

The textbooks were successfully distributed to all the 24 schools from the 16th to 18th March 2021. The benefiting pupils, teachers and school leadership were very grateful for the notable support as the respective subjects and classes; that is STD IV Science and Technology and STD V Social Skills textbooks were completely missing in all schools.  Since the pupils to book ratio was 16 pupils: 1 book (2020) while the expected ratio is 10 pupils: 1 book (2021); extra efforts are needed to lessen the challenge that can greatly affect the pupils learning outcomes.

Post the textbooks distribution, there is still a notable deficit of the books where reference is made to the survey made. The survey indicated that 984 STD IV science and technology books and 927 STD V social skills books were needed. Since 525 STD IV Science and technology books and 520 STD V books were distributed; this denotes a deficit rate of 47% and 44% respectively; hence a call for more support from both government and the development stakeholders.

The support directly benefited 2205 pupils (1117 boys, 1088 girls). Since the pupil to book ratio has improved expectations are towards advancement of the learning outcomes in the 24 project schools.


LUDEWA TEACHERS TRAINED ON THE 3R COMPETENCIES

27 teachers from Madope, Lubonde, Milo, Mlangali, Mawengi and Luana wards benefited from the residential INSET on pedagogical competencies linked to the new syllabus on reading, writing and arithmetic. The training was conducted at SHIPO from 7th June 2021 through 16th June 2021. A total of 24 primary schools were involved in the training that was honored by Mr Joseph Lupogo who represented the Regional Education Officer.

The objective of the training that was facilitated by Vikindu Teachers College was to improve the learning outcomes of pupils in the project schools; thus a need to help teachers to:

  • Improve their capacity to teach the trained reading, writing and arithmetic topics
  • Identify, prepare and use teaching aids or tools relevant to topic and environment and capacitate other teachers who did not attend the training on these skills and techniques.
  • Prepare and capacitate other teachers who did not attend the training on how to teach the trained reading, writing and arithmetic topics and how to prepare lesson plan for their daily teaching/learning process.
  • Use different books (text books, supplementary and teachers’ guide) when preparing lesson notes in class and capacitate other teachers on the same

Upon returning to their working stations, the benefiting teachers will use the prepared schedule to apply the newly acquired knowledge and practices.

Both government employed and community hired teachers were regarded during the training. Out of the invited 28, 27(96.43%) participated. They were very grateful for the opportunity and calls for the government and stakeholders to ensure good teaching and learning environment via their collective efforts. Doing so would advance education provision and consequently improve the general school academic performance


SHIPO UNDERTAKES A RESIDENTIAL TRAINING FOR SCHOOL COMMITTEES

48 school committee members from Madope, Lubonde, Milo, Mlangali, Mawengi and Luana wards benefited from the residential training conducted by SHIPO from 21st June 2021 through 25th June 2021. A total of 24 primary school were involved in the training that addressed leadership, management and school administration

The training was honored by his Excellency Marwa Rubirya, the Njombe Regional Commissioner and facilitated by the experts from the Agency for Development of Educational Management (ADEM). Apart from the 48 school committee members, the training was also attended by the Acting Regional Education Officer, District officials including: District Academic Officer, District statistics and logistics officer, and the District school Quality Assurer. The 6 ward education officers of the respective wards also participated.

Basically, the training aimed at taking the members through the following training subjects:

  • Formulation, roles and responsibilities of School Committees
  • School governance, students and staff welfare
  • Community resources mobilization and management
  • Management of school funds
  • School Quality Assurance Framework and Handbook (tools)
  • Development of a supervision program for the 24 schools for the next 3 years
  • Whole School Development Planning (including evaluation of the 2018-2020 Whole School Development Plan and preparation of the 2021-2023 Plan).

Participants were very grateful for the opportunity and calls for the government and stakeholders to guarantee support in realizing the whole school development plan targets. Doing so would advance education provision and consequently improve the general school academic performance of the 8332 pupils including 4213 boys and 4119 girls in the project schools.

Mavala primary school committee chairperson enjoying with the MAMMIE Education Cup after receiving it from the guest of honor.

SHIPO Celebrates Global Action Week for Education ‘GAWE’

SHIPO under the WeWorld support celebrated GAWE on the 6th May 2021. The event that was globally arranged to happen from 26th through 30th April 2021, took place at Mavala primary school. SHIPO could not celebrate it on the very week due to schooling and curricula schedule interferences. The event theme was financing education.

The 2021 GAWE objectives included: community awareness raising for them to contribute in education provision improvement, addressing the education challenges and commitment on their resolutions, and general community awareness raising on the importance of education. There was also a side demonstration regarding plastic recycling that aimed at environment preservation thereby adding value to improving teaching and learning environment.

The event was attended by 703 participants including: 361 males and 342 females. The stakeholders involved: pupils, parents, teachers, religious leaders, journalists and authorities ‘village, ward and district levels’. The neighboring schools comprising: Milo, Luvungo and Mapogoro were also invited. It was honored by his Excellency John Makorere, the District Education Officer who represented the District Commissioner. The event was outrivaled by choirs, poems, sports, shows, music performances and speeches from various invitees and front-runners.

Stakeholders from countless viewpoints are welcomed to collaborate in these endeavors that are organized yearly to ensure Education Excellency that would consequently guarantee potential graduates thus quality social services and holistic community development.


Boresha Elimu Mbozi 2021 Q1 updates

Boresha Elimu Mbozi, the project implemented by SHIPO in collaboration with Mbozi District Council under the support of Pestalozzi Children’s Foundation (PCF) keeps moving forward. The main activities conducted from January to April 2021 are the following:

Two days refresher training to child protection committees, conducted at village level in 19 villages

The reason behind this activity/output is to improve parents engagement in education process of the children.

SHIPO in collaboration with Gender Desk, Welfare Officers and Community Development officers from Mbozi District, conducted a 2 days refresher training to child protection committees in each village within the project coverage (19 villages). The main purpose of the training were to remind the committees members about their responsibilities and raising and reporting the child abuse cases. This activity reached directly 412 (Males 259 Females 153) child protection committee’s members at village level.

SHIPO together with local government authorities (LGAs) from Mbozi District conducted a refresher awareness creation meeting on child rights among parents and the community members in each of the 20 schools’ villages in five wards.

The output of this was to improve parents engagement in education process of the children. The topics discussed in the meetings were: childs rights, how to keep children safe in their surrounding environment, how to raise child in good manner and safe one, how to engage on their childrens education so as to raise their performance. This activity reached 2,500 (1,500 male, and 1,000 female) parents/community members. The methods which were used during the creation of awareness are public address system, questions and answers and group discussion.