THE government has in the 2023/24 financial year, spent a total of 81.3bn/- to complete construction of 78 new schools along with improvement of various infrastructure through implementation of the Boost Primary Pupil Learning Project (BOOST).

Prof Carolyne Nombo, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology made the statement yesterday here during the opening of three-day training for head teachers and environmental officers on construction of infrastructure through BOOST.

In a speech read on her behalf by the Commissioner of Education in the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Prof Nombo named the constructed infrastructure as 1,625 classrooms, 3,635 toilet holes, 10 teachers’ houses as well as renovation of 42 schools.

She said in the 2022/23 financial year, the government constructed a total of 302 new schools, 7,230 classrooms and 11,297 toilet holes.

The PS said that the government has decided to conduct the major investment in the education infrastructure through the BOOST programme funded by the World Bank (WB) to strengthen provision of quality education by addressing various challenges which were facing the sector.

She asked the participants to focus on the training in order to increase efficiency in implementation of various construction guidelines and procurement procedures and related plans.

“Heads of schools should also put in place robust strategies and systems to protect children from violence and all forms of abuse to ensure that schools remain safe places for children to learn,” she added.

Paulina Mkwama from Teachers Service Commission (TSC) urged teachers to ensure that they put all their efforts to equip pupils with right knowledge and skills as well as educating them how to overcome violence incidents.

Ally Swalehe, BOOST Coordinator said the five-year initiative which commenced in 2021/22 fiscal year is implemented in 184 councils of Tanzania mainland with support from World Bank of 1.5trn/- soft loan aimed at improving education delivery in the country.

He said the programme involves eight education interventions which include improving schools infrastructure and conduct major improvements in teaching and learning in order to improve literacy and numeracy skills to ensure that all pupils are mastering reading, writing and arithmetic (3Rs).

Daudui Mlahagwa, Environmental Officer from Pangani District in Tanga Region thanked the government for organising the training which will help them to supervise well projects in their areas.

Paschal Shirima, Mzalendo Primary School Head teacher in Moshi Municipal Council, Kilimanjaro Region said the training will increase efficiency in various education projects.