Teachers wanted in Tanzania, says Kalonzo

By Peter Orengo

Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka has said the Tanzanian Government is ready to absorb Kenyans willing to teach in its institutions to address teacher shortages.

The Vice-President, who arrived from Tanzania on Sunday, said he met the Tanzanian Minister for Education and Vocational Training and agreed that willing Kenyan teachers take advantage of this opportunity.

“We agreed that Education Minister Sam Ongeri writes to his Tanzanian counterpart so that Kenyan teachers can take advantage of the opportunity that has presented itself,” said the VP.

Kalonzo said with the East African Community in place, more Kenyans were venturing in the region and beyond.

Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka with students of Nairobi’s Sunshine Secondary School, yesterday. The Vice-President said Tanzania was willing to take in local teachers in her Education system. [PHOTO: COLLINS KWEYU/STANDARD]

“Already Kenyan professionals are offering their services as far as South Sudan and Seychelles. Tanzanians are now praising Kenyan Swahili teachers and yet they are the real masters of Kiswahili,” he added.

Kalonzo said this would be good news for hundreds of teachers yet to be absorbed by the Teachers Service Commission.

The Vice-President was speaking at a prayer service for Form Four students of Sunshine Secondary School, a day after presiding over Mt Meru University graduation ceremony in Tanzania.

Short of content

He asked Kenyan teachers to emulate their Tanzanian counterparts and be involved in the development of the school curricular.

“I want to challenge head teachers to be involved in writing books because as things stand, our country is short of content,” he said.

The VP took the opportunity to wish all fourth-formers well during their national examinations, which start on October 21.

He announced that 30 straight ‘A’ students would be airlifted to study in Cyprus, thanks to a programme between the European Union and the Office of the Vice-President.

“It is up to the students to work hard if they want to be part of the group that will study in Cyprus. It will only be for those who get straight As,” said the VP.

He asked candidates to maintain high levels of discipline during the exams. “Don’t do things that are unlawful or be influenced towards anti-social behaviour just because you are about to complete high school.”

Kalonzo told students of Sunshine that with the new Constitution, there are abundant opportunities for those who would excel in education.