IRINGA District Commissioner Kheri James has called on teachers to emphasize basic skills training, especially agriculture and culinary to prepare pupils for them to be independent upon completion of studies.

James made the appeal on Thursday during his tour to inspect various development projects in the district where he visited the ongoing construction of classrooms in various primary and secondary schools aimed at improving teaching and learning environments and boosting pupils’ performance.

While acknowledging the government’s efforts to provide safe learning spaces for children, he took the opportunity to remind teachers of their responsibility to teach practical skills that empower pupils for future life.

He stressed that having irresponsible youth is a burden on both the nation and families.

“I commend teachers for the vital work you do in teaching and ensuring pupils pass their exams. However, I want to remind you that merely teaching in the classroom is not enough to prepare children for independent living after graduation. It is high time you started teaching practical skills like agriculture and culinary which help pupils recognise their potential and become self-reliant adults,” he said.

On child welfare, James asserted that schools and families should be safe places for children.

“Therefore, teachers must act as role models for their pupils outside of the academic environment, demonstrating behaviours that children can emulate,” he said.

The initiative to teach pupils life skills has gained support from Kalenga Primary School which implements a strategy to utilise school land for agriculture.

The community has decided to cultivate the fields to provide food for pupils and serve as a practical learning environment for agricultural skills.

Kalenga Primary School head-teacher Shaibu Mingaula said that in collaboration with local residents, the school has allocated over 40 acres for agriculture to ensure food security for pupils.

The initiative not only addresses the need for school meals but also provides a hands-on learning experience in farming.

“To fulfil the government’s goal of providing food for children, the school board, in partnership with parents, proposed to the village government the establishment of a school farm managed by the community. So far, we have successfully cultivated for one season and are preparing for the next, where we plan to grow maize and beans to ensure food security at school,” he said.

Some parents and residents of Kalenga Village, including Elmina Mgongolwa and Geojina Mhavile, hailed an agreement on a school farm to reduce contributions that previously left some children without meals.

Their collective effort aims to ensure all children receive food while at school.

“As parents, we have decided to contribute our efforts to produce food and reduce school contributions for meals which was a significant burden for us. Without food, our children struggle to concentrate in class but through this farm, we ensure pupils’ wellbeing as we know that without meals they cannot succeed academically,” Mgongolwa said.

Steven Mhapa, Iringa District Council chairperson who accompanied the District Commissioner during the visit, outlined the council’s strategy to ensure all schools have meal programmes to improve academic performance.

He confirmed that directives have already been issued for teachers to oversee the initiative.