By Raymond John

Mama Regina Lowassa, Prime Minister's wife, being welcomed
to Loamo school with a bouquet presented to her by Lilian Mtana
(Photo by Raymond John)

Parents who prefer enrolling their children in English Medium Private schools may as well be prepared to face the responsibility of paying the required school fees since such institutions receive no funding from either the government or other donors, the Prime Minister’s wife, Mrs. Regina Lowassa, has stated.

Mama Lowassa, who was the guest of honor at the maiden graduation ceremony for the Loamo primary school located in Mwanama area, south of Kijenge, reminded the parents that private schools in Tanzania are attractive because of the heavy monetary investments that both the owners and dedicated members of the community are willing to channel into the institutions.

The graduation ceremony was officially opened by Bishop Thomas O. Laizer of the Arusha Lutheran Diocese.

"If you find the schools nice and their education system good then it is just fair for you to assist in the proper running of the institutions by settling the required fees in time, " said Mama Lowassa.

Loamo school principal, Mama Maria Loseran said due to escalating costs of running private schools, the government should start considering the idea of giving some subsidy to these institutions in order to encourage more people to invest in education for the benefit of future generations.

According to Mrs Loseran, Loamo primary School was established in 2000 when it started with only three pupils, a measly numbers which however grew to 200 students this year. The school has 12 teachers and seven other working staff.

The school is still undergoing construction including that of a girls’ dormitory, a matron house and several new classrooms. Mama Lowassa laid the foundation stone for these proposed building projects at the school.

In their farewell speech, which was read by Osiligi L. Laizer, the class Seven graduates of Loamo thanked their parents for granting them the opportunity to attend school, but like the guest of honor they also appealed to parents to be paying the fees in time so as to avoid inconvenience.