Ubungo Saves Funds Through School Furniture Repairs
The Ubungo Municipal Council has saved over 233 million Tanzanian shillings by rehabilitating damaged furniture in Goba Ward, restoring 2,583 desks, chairs, and tables for public primary and secondary schools.
The initiative, led by Kibamba MP and Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Angela Kairuki, aims to enhance learning environments by repairing rather than replacing furniture, while also involving skilled local youths in the process.
At a handover ceremony, Kairuki highlighted that the repairs were made in collaboration with local leaders, teachers, and the youth, which resulted in significant savings compared to purchasing new items. She noted additional efforts to improve education in the ward, including constructing and renovating classrooms, laboratories, toilets, and ICT rooms.
“Within one year, the central government and the municipal council allocated 718 billion shillings for education projects in our ward. I applaud the artisans for restoring this furniture at a fraction of the cost,” she said.
Dar es Salaam Regional CCM Secretary, Stanley Mkandawile, praised the initiative for addressing challenges in public schools and urged other MPs to follow suit. He pointed out that some students had previously been forced to sit on the floor due to a shortage of desks and called on leaders to work alongside Kairuki to tackle other issues, such as toilet shortages.
Meanwhile, CCM National Executive Committee member Juma Gadafi commended Kairuki for implementing the party’s manifesto, calling the campaign a prime example of how leaders can positively impact their communities.
According to Goba Ward Education Officer Ezekiel Msingi, the ward has seven public primary schools catering to 12,085 pupils and six secondary schools with 4,560 students. Msingi explained that the furniture rehabilitation campaign focused on restoring usable items instead of outright replacement.
Ubungo District Commissioner Albert Msando warned public officials against delays in implementing government directives, stating that those neglecting their duties should be replaced. He instructed education officers and head teachers to identify damaged desks and ensure they are transported to needy schools by Monday, stressing that there was no excuse for students to lack desks with available funds for transport.
