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No. 00292 |
October 18-24, 2003 |
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Write to: The Editor, Arusha Times, P.O. Box 212, Arusha. E-mail: arushatimes@habari.co.tz
Why I am fond of Mwalimu Julius NyerereThe system of education after independence gives me fond memories of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere. Primary school pupils who were joining secondary schools could travel across the country from for instance Mwanza to Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro to Bukoba , Mtwara to Tabora, and vice versa. I remember when I completed Std. VII in 1966 at Malampaka primary school in Shinyanga region I joined Kibaha secondary school in Coast Region. That helped me not only to travel and learn much about Tanzania but it helped me also to improve my spoken Swahili as the class comprised students from all parts of Tanzania. Cross-culture in Tanzania continued in the1970's by posting people to different places of work after completing college or university. That helped Tanzanians to get involved in inter-marriages regardless of places of origin. I am lucky I married a wife from Arusha, a Meru by tribe. My four children cannot speak either Sukuma or Meru, but we are all united by Kiswahili in our family. Our house is at Kimandolu village. Another legacy Mwalimu left us is the system of education for all Tanzanians. The Universal Primary Education (UPE) is remarkable . Many children went to school and the system was backed up by the introduction of adult education whereby Mwalimu participated himself in teaching a class at Ruvu in 1971 - I remember I was at Ruvu National Service at that time. The introduction of National Service also helped to bring unity among Tanzanians and the spirit of building and defending our nation, etc. A good example was the war against Dictator Idi Amin. At least every Tanzanian participated in defending our nation in one way or another. I say Unity and Peace, is a gift offered by Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere to every Tanzania.
Like it or not, English is the languageThe English speaking programme in schools is good because it improves students’ proficiency in the language. Some students in some schools consider it a punishment when they are told to speak English. Such requirement is meant to help us master the language. English is an international language and we have to speak it in order to communicate with different people all over the world. Good command of the language means that students will have good performance as all exams, except Kiswahili subject are written in English. The problem is that we students are very shy when we speak English. There is that fear that if we make mistakes others will laugh at us. English is not our mother tongue, each one of us has to learn through mistakes.
Wrong impression?It came as a surprise to us to read, a banner across the road in the vicinity Arusha Hotel saying Arusha IT Exhibition, Rock Bottom Prices, Oct 3,4,5, Equator Hotel. Did it really represent Arusha's IT dealers or only a few individuals who wanted to capitalize by using the name " Arusha ". As one of the major computer dealers in Arusha, we take note that we have neither been invited to take part in this affair nor have we been informed about it. We think that the name " Arusha" should not be used when it represents individuals because it gives a wrong impression to the public. Maybe other IT Dealers like ourselves can throw more light on it.
Why we called it Arusha IT exhibitionWe called it the "Arusha IT exhibition" to avoid confusion with the Dar es Salaam AITEC exhibition which was run almost during the same period. The writer mentions "a few individuals", this statement is inaccurate for two reasons. Firstly, there were six companies and one organisation participating, a fair number for a town the size of Arusha. Next year we'll hopefully expand. Secondly, the word "individuals" does not apply because managements of seven registered firms and organisations were involved.
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