Dar es Salaam. Good morning! The Chanzo is here with a rundown of major news stories reported in Tanzania on Monday, March 6, 2023.
Boarding schools for lower primary pupils banned in Tanzania
On Monday, the government banned boarding schools for pupils from nursery up to STD IV pupils unless under a special license given by the Commissioner of Education.
The government announced this in its Education Circular No. 2 of 2023 on boarding schools for nursery and primary school pupils released yesterday.
“The step is [part of] the implementation of the Guideline on the Establishment and Registration of Schools released by the Ministry [of Education] in November 2020,” Commissioner of Education Dr Lyabwene Mtahaba said in the circular.
“Any school providing boarding services to unallowed classes should stop providing such services at the end of the first term for 2023,” he added.
The government also banned “academic campings” in schools which the government’s investigation has found to be “threatening to children’s morality, safety and students’ health.”
Mtahaba pointed out that sending nursery pupils to boarding schools robs the children of their opportunities to learn from their families and communities, build a sense of morality, and participate in development activities at the family and societal levels.
“Based on existing studies, the long-term effects that stem from sending nursery pupils to boarding schools are for the children to lack affection for their parents and their communities and thus fail to be active members in the associations,” Mtahaba said in the circular.
Chinese firm to invest $87m in architectural glass plant in Tanzania
Keda Industrial Group, a Chinese-based company which develops clean energy technologies, announced on Monday that it is planning to invest U.S$86.8 million to build an architectural glass plant in Tanzania to enlarge the variety of such building material in the African market and increase its market share.
According to reports, Keda Industrial will set up a local subsidiary or a joint venture with a local partner to build the plant, which is expected to have an annual production capacity of 600 tons of architectural glass. Construction will likely be completed in 12 months.
The company said that the demand for building materials in the African market has increased in recent years thanks to stable economic growth, increasing population, fast real estate development, and other factors.
Considering the lack of glass production capacity in Tanzania and neighbouring countries, Keda Industrial decided to seize the opportunity and build a glass factory, the firm said, adding that the products will be delivered to clients in Tanzania and also exported to neighbouring nations, including Kenya, Uganda, and Zambia.
Keda Industrial will raise USD52 million in loans from commercial banks or other financial institutions to fund the project, it noted.
The company entered the African construction material market in 2016. It has more than 14 ceramic products manufacturing plants in operation and eight others in construction in five African countries, including Tanzania, according to Keda Industrial.
Vodacom Tanzania awards top tech start-ups with Sh200m
Vodacom Tanzania, in partnership with Smart Lab, has announced the three winners of the second season of its digital accelerator programme, reported Ventureburn on Monday.
The top three start-ups were selected after a competitive pitching event and public voting process. The winners received over Sh200 million in value-based support and follow-on investments.
The three winners of the digital accelerator programme are BizyTech through their Kilimo Bando product, Smart Darasa, and Twenzao.
This year’s programme received over 700 applications and saw 12 start-ups selected to participate, from industries such as fintech, health, e-commerce, education, agriculture, and cybersecurity.
Speaking at the Demo Day event, Dr Amos Nungu, the director-general of the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology, praised Vodacom Tanzania for supporting early-stage and growth-stage technology start-ups.
He noted that science and technology advancements have significantly impacted communities socially and economically worldwide and that initiatives such as Vodacom’s digital accelerator are critical to developing solutions to society’s challenges.
He called on other companies and individuals to support similar initiatives, citing the need for more accelerators to reach more tech start-ups nationwide.
Managing Director of Vodacom Tanzania, Phillip Besiimire, expressed his pride in seeing the program encourage participants to develop tech solutions that address the challenges facing agriculture, education, and transport sectors in Tanzanian society.
He also highlighted the need for greater diversity and inclusivity in tech start-ups and managerial structures, proposing a unique cohort for women or advocating for diversity in top managerial positions.
Unlocking the potential of independent music in Tanzania: A shared responsibility
As independent artists strive to make their mark in the music industry, a critical question arises: Who is responsible for supporting their creative pursuits?
Should independent musicians produce remarkable records and proactively market themselves before calling for government intervention, or must the government take the lead in promoting their art and careers?
It’s a chicken and egg dilemma, so the answer is not black and white. Still, one thing is clear: a comprehensive approach that combines government support with an enabling ecosystem for creativity and innovation is necessary to shift the music industry in a positive direction.
To this end, I suggest a multi-pronged strategy that includes creating funding opportunities, educational and training programs, and platforms for exposure and networking.
However, it’s crucial to note that enacting laws that promote airplay for local independent artists has been a successful method in the past and remains a crucial aspect of any strategy going forward.
Therefore, it’s highly advisable to prioritise implementing such laws to ensure that independent artists can be heard and recognised alongside established labels.
We should all remember that our rich musical heritage is a treasure to be celebrated, but it is also a call to action.
As a society, we have a collective responsibility to support and elevate the independent music scene to continue pushing the boundaries of creativity and ensure that Tanzania’s musical potential is fully realised.
Full analysis here.
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