Tanzanian Association Oslo

Minister backtracks on

English instruction

By Vicent Mnyanyika

Confusion seems to reign supreme in the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training over the planned use of English as a medium of teaching in schools.

Education and Vocational Training minister Jumanne Maghembe yesterday said nothing had changed over the use of English and Kiswahili. Prof Maghembe distanced himself from earlier media reports, which were published almost three weeks ago, saying he was misquoted. He said Kiswahili would remain as the medium of teaching at primary school level, while English would only be used at higher and tertiary levels.

His remarks also directly contradicts his deputy Ms Gaudensia Kabaka, who last week said the government would make English the main medium of teaching from primary to tertiary level. Ms Kabaka, who was addressing owners of private schools and colleges in Ubungo, said despite the lack of enough competent English teachers in the country, the move to adopt the language would boost the country´s education system in line with global changes.

But minister Maghembe, who was speaking soon after signing an agreement worth Sh2.5 billion with visiting French Minister of State (Cooperation and Francophone) Mr Alain Joyandet to train local French teachers from primary, secondary and university, said nothing would prevent Kiswahili from being a national language and a medium of instruction for primary schools. Our aim is to make Tanzania a multilingual society.

Much emphasis will be on English and other languages like French, but this will not prevent Kiswahili to continue as a national language and a medium of instructions for primary schools, said Prof Magembe. He also said the introduction of French in primary schools would be an important development considering the rising demand for the language in the country. French minister Alain Joyandet said the move would develop the relationship between Tanzania and France.

Under the three-year plan, France will assist in the pre and in-service training of French teachers in Tanzania. There will also be reinforcement of French and Francophone research at the University of Dare es Salaam and University of Zanzibar.