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David Tilley Children’s Foundation: Trustees’ Visit to Tanzania October 7th – 20th, 2024

 

Richard and Jane Gill visited St Michael’s School, Kilolo and Mvumi School near Dodoma, as trustees of DTCF. We arrived in Iringa on Oct 9th and the following day were warmly welcomed by Bishop Joseph Mgomi at Diocesan HQ. We spent 2 hours with him, discussing current needs at St Michael’s School. With the forthcoming introduction of a new government curriculum for secondary schools, copies of the new textbooks required have been downloaded for each form.

 

Bishop mentioned that the present headmaster, Francis Malugu, wishes to retire at the end of the current term: he is already two years beyond retirement age and wishes to return to his family in Dodoma; a replacement is being sought.

 

Routine maintenance is being undertaken on the buildings; better security fencing is needed.

 

There is the continuing need to manage rising food prices - a universal problem in these days: the school is currently in debt to suppliers.

 

Bishop Joseph told us the government intends a major reorganisation of national education in 2 year’s time. This will comprise:

• 2 years of pre-primary schooling
• 6 years of primary (instead of 7, and no year 7 exam)
• 4 years of secondary, to O level
• 2 years of A level course

 

The aim would be for each school to provide the full range of education, from pre-primary to A level. At St Michael’s, new classrooms would be required for the younger children, and also the addition of day pupils to the school roll. The two year setting up period is thought to be optimistic as it seems even the government has yet to begin preparations. The Diocese is keen to add A levels to what it offers at present in order to attract more students.