IN celebrating World Teachers' Day, President Samia Suluhu Hassan has congratulated teachers for supporting the clean cooking energy agenda, promising to provide further assistance to help stop using dirty energy sources.

Speaking via phone over the weekend during the World Teachers' Day celebrations in Arusha Region, President Samia said she understands their concerns and challenges, insisting to continue addressing them. The day is celebrated annually on October 5th.

"I called to congratulate teachers. Today you have a meeting on clean cooking energy; I appreciate your support of this agenda. I promise to contribute to this crucial drive by providing gas cylinders and stoves," President Samia noted.

The event was organized by Arusha Member of Parliament, Mrisho Gambo where various stakeholders came forward and provided teachers with gas cylinders and stoves.

Deputy Minister of Education, Science, and Technology, Omar Kipanga, who graced the event, expressed gratitude to President Samia for her efforts in promoting the use of clean cooking energy.

"On this World Teachers' Day, our theme is clean cooking energy. President Samia Suluhu has just spoken to us; we can recall that in May this year, she launched a campaign for clean cooking energy. The government’s goal is to ensure that by 2034, 80 percent of Tanzanians will have access to clean cooking energy," said Kipanga.

"We also thank Arusha MP, Mrisho Gambo, and stakeholders for providing 5,000 gas cylinders to teachers to promote clean cooking energy. The government aims to ensure that every Tanzanian uses clean cooking energy. The Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology has embraced this cause, starting with all education institutions serving over 100 people, ensuring they use clean cooking energy,” said the Deputy Minister.

He said the President had also emphasized to Members of Parliament about clean cooking energy, whereas each was given 200 gas cylinders and stoves to distribute to people in their constituencies. He underscored the need for political will to ensure the campaign’s set targets are achieved.

Benoit Araman, managing director, Oryx Gas Tanzania Limited said they have collaborated with Arusha MP to coordinate the event and distribute gas cylinders and stoves worth 417.5m/- to 5,000 teachers.

“May I call upon you to be good ambassadors for clean cooking energy,” said Araman, noting that using clean cooking energy improves health, as 33,000 Tanzanians die annually from inhaling smoke and particles from wood and charcoal.

Araman noted that clean cooking helps conserve the environment and gives students more time to study, instead of spending hours searching for firewood.

Arusha MP, Mrisho Gambo, acknowledged the contributions of stakeholders and teachers in making the celebrations successful.