SITAKI
Waziri anayekemea HakiElimu
Na Ndimara Tegambwage
SITAKI waziri anayeabudu woga na utii bandia. Sitaki waziri anayeabudu ukasuku na kubeza kazi nzuri ya elimu. Taifa litaangamia.
Naibu Waziri wa Maendeleo ya Jamii, Jinsia na Watoto, Lucy Nkya aliripotiwa wiki iliyopita jijini Dar es Salaam, akisema matangazo ya asasi ya HakiElimu yanaamsha “chuki katika jamii.”
Kwa kujiamini, Nkya anaripotiwa kuambia Kamati ya Bunge ya Maendeleo ya Jamii kuwa HakiElimu inakosoa tu; inajenga vijana na watoto kuona serikali ni ya kifisadi; na kuahidi, “Iko siku serikali itaonyesha makucha yake.”
Sasa twende kwa mfano wa waziri wa tangazo “baya:” Kwamba HakiElimu inatoa tangazo linalohusu wizi wa mabilioni ya shilingi kutoka akaunti ya madeni ya nje (EPA) katika benki Kuu (BoT).
Katika tangazo hili wanafunzi wanaulizwa thamani ya fedha; nao wanajibu kwa kuthamanisha fedha hizo zilizoibwa (Sh. 133 bilioni) na vitu halisi.
Huyu analinganisha fedha hizo zilizoibwa na idadi ya zahanati ambazo zingejengwa nchi nzima. Yule analinganisha fedha hizo na shule ambazo zingejengwa nchi nzima. Mwingine analinganisha kiasi hicho na mishahara ya walimu nchi nzima na kwa kipindi gani.
Iko wapi njia bora ya kufundishia thamani ya fedha au vitu kuliko hii? Uko wapi “uhalifu” wa HakiElimu?
Angalia msanii maarufu nchini, Masoud Kipanya. Anaonyesha kuwa ukitaka kujua thamani na wingi wa Sh. 133 bilioni, tandika chini noti za Sh. 10,000 – moja baada ya nyingine – kutoka katikati ya jiji la Dar es Slaam.
Katuni inaonyesha noti ya mwisho ya Sh. 10,000 (kwenye Sh. 133 bilioni), itatandikwa stendi ya mabasi ya Arusha mjini. Hiyo ni baada ya kubandika njia nzima, zaidi ya kilometa 500 kwa barabara kutoka Dar es Salaam kupitia Ubungo, Kibaha, Mlandizi, Chalinze, Segera, Moshi hadi Arusha mjini.
Chukua mfano wa ukubwa na thamani ya majengo ya hospitali ya Bugando, jijini Mwanza. Hayo ndiyo majengo ya kwanza kwa urefu na eneo jijini humo (maghorofa).
Sasa sikiliza mkazi wa Mwanza anayeelezea ukubwa wa nyumba nyingine alizoona katika miji mingine, “Eee, ni kubwa kweli. Yanaingia mabugando mawili!” Umuhimu wa kulinganisha na kuthamanisha.
Zingatia ubunifu katika njia mbili za mwisho hapo juu. Lakini na njia ya HakiElimu inayolalamikiwa, ndiyo muwafaka katika kuwezesha mwanafunzi, hata mtu mzima, kufikiri, kubaini na kuelewa. Tarakimu kavu hazina maana kama hazikupewa thamani.
Mwanafunzi anahitaji nyenzo za kumsaidia kufikiri. Hasa baada ya kujua kusoma na kuandika, mwanafunzi hawi tena “kapu la mama” la kujaza kila ushikacho; bali ubongo unaokuzwa kwa uchambuzi na upembuzi.
Kwa hiyo, mwanafunzi aliyewezeshwa mapema, kuangalia kwa makini, kutafakari, kuhoji na kudadisi, kuchambua, kuthamanisha na kumiliki stadi za maisha, ndio mwakilishi wa elimu bora ambayo ni msingi imara wa taifa linalotaka maendeleo.
Ni nyenzo hizi ambazo hukwangua ukurutu wa kasumba vichwani mwa watoto na wazazi wao; huua upupu katika mbongo zilizokengeuka na huweka mazingira ya kupokea kwa kuchambua na hatimaye kuangamiza ukasuku.
Waziri Nkya analalamikia wanafunzi kupewa nyenzo za kufikiri, kuthamanisha na kutenda. Anasema kauli za kutaja thamani ya fedha za EPA kwa kutumia vielelezo, zinasababisha kuzomewa kwa watoto wa baadhi ya viongozi wanaodaiwa kuiba, hadi wanahamishwa shule.
Kuna haja ya kuzingatia haya: Kazi ya elimu, na hii ni daima, ni kuondoa ujinga; kufukuza ukungu na giza; kuondoa utata na mashaka; kuhakiki uhalisia wa hali na kushikisha stadi ili mtu aweze kuvuka mazingira aliyomo na kuingia maisha bora zaidi.
Wanafunzi wanaooanza kushika haya mapema wanabadilika haraka. Wanaelimika kwa maana halisi ya neno hilo; bila unafiki wala upendeleo. Hawahitaji tena huruma ya mwalimu, sifa za mwanasiasa, wala wazazi wa kuwaibia mitihani. Wanafikiri.
Sasa kama wanafunzi wameanza kubaini kuwa miongoni mwao kuna wenye wazazi walioiba; kwamba watoto wa walioiba hubebwa kwa magari ya wizi hadi shuleni, sokoni na harusini; kwamba watoto hao wana fedha za kuchezea, hupata chakula cha mchana, hawadaiwi karo wala michango, basi tayari wameanza kupata elimu.
Kwa wanafunzi kutambua mahusiano miongoni mwao; kuelewa nani anafanya nini linalosaidia au linaloanganiza taifa; kutambua matabaka miongoni mwao na jamii kwa ujumla; na kujua ni tabaka lipi limeapa kuangamiza mengine na kwa nini; hakika hiyo ni elimu.
Elimu hii haiwezi kuwa imetokana na HakiElimu peke yake. Kuna vyanzo vingi: magazeti, redio, televisheni, mikutano, asasi nyingi, simu za mkononi, maongezi mitaani, katika vyombo vya usafiri na katika uchambuzi wa maisha ambao wanafunzi wamewezeshwa kufanya.
Elimu yote hii, kwa njia mbalimbali, ndiyo Waziri Nkya anaita kuamsha “chuki katika jamii?” Lakini waziri ana ujumbe: Kwamba kuna chuki ndani ya jamii, lakini “isiamshwe.” Wanyonge wanyongwe, mapapa wadunde. Basi.
Bali suala la kuzomea watoto wa “mafisadi” linahitaji msisitizo wa aina yake. Wanafunzi, kwa kupitia wanafunzi wenzao, wanazomea kupe aliyejipachika kwenye mgongo wa mwananchi. Hawajali kama ni baba wa huyu au yule. Na hii haikuanza jana na haikuletwa na HakiElimu.
Hata hivyo, kuzomea ni silaha muhimu katika mapambano dhidi ya rushwa na ufisadi. Pale ambapo walioko madarakani wanaweza kunyamazia ukupe na uozo, zomeazomea huwakurupusha mafisadi na kuwanyima raha.
Ni zomeazomea hiyo ambayo pia hufanya watawala, kwa aibu, wakae wameziba nyuso zao kwa viganja kama nyani (Asante Shaaban Robert). Hapo ndipo wanaigia wanafunzi walioanza kupata nyenzo za maisha na kuhamasisha kuwa mafisadi wasizomewe tu bali watengwe na jamii staarabu.
Waziri Nkya na labda hata wenzake, anaonekana kutaka taifa lenye watoto “wanaojazwa” kauli, nyimbo, ngonjera na mashairi ya wasifu ili wawe na “utii na heshima kwa serikali na viongozi” na hatimaye waondoke na “elimu ya karatasi.”
Anataka taifa ambalo wanafunzi wake watalazimishwa au kulaghaiwa kuabudu, kusifia na kushangilia ufisadi, eti kwa kufanya hivyo ndiyo kudumisha “utii.” Hakika hilo ni taifa linalojinyonga kimyakimya na taratibu. Litaangamia.
Hata kama wezi wa fedha za EPA wanachefuka na hawataki kutajwa tena; hata kama wenzi wao – wake, waume, watoto, ndugu na marafiki – watakuwa wamechoka kuitwa wanavyoitwa; huu hauwezi kuwa msingi wa Waziri Nkya kukemea HakiElimu.
Kwanza, ujumbe wa HakiElimu katika matangazo anayolalamikia waziri siyo wa kubuni. Ni takwimu za serikali na wadau wengine wengi ambazo zinapewa maana.
Pili, njia hii inayotumiwa na HakiElimu ni njia sahihi na bora zaidi kwa kuwa inafikirisha na kumwachia nyenzo muhusika ili aweze kuangalia maeneo mengine katika maisha binafsi na taifa.
Tatu, ujumbe katika tangazo haukulenga wanafunzi peke yao. Jamii iliyojaa wengi wenye fikra za aina ya waziri, inahitaji ujumbe wa aina hii, kwa mtindo huu wa uwasilishaji, kwa ajili ya ukombozi wa mtu mmojammoja na jamii yote.
Nne, waziri bado anaamini katika “mabavu ya serikali,” hivyo anajisikia kuwa kileleni ambako, kama wengi walioko huko, anapumzisha akili na kuanza kutumia vitisho, kejeli na mabavu.
Tano, inaonekana bado waziri ana mawazo kuwa huwa kuna serikali moja katika maisha ya watu na hii aliyomo haitaondoka “milele.” Hapana. Serikali huzaliwa na kufa. Huenda ijayo haitakuwa na mafisadi au itakithiri kwa ufisadi.
Sita, kauli na hatua ambazo waziri anafikiria ni za vitisho; zinaashiria uporaji na uingiliaji uhuru wa kufikiri na kuwasiliana; na zinajenga msingi wa kuvunja haki za binadamu.
Saba, waziri analalamika kuwa HakiElimu ina mwendo wa kukosoa tu. Hapa waziri anataka serikali isifiwe. Kama serikali inatenda wajibu wake kwa nini isifiwe?
Kama serikali imesahau, imedharau, imeshindwa kutenda wajibu wake, kwa nini isikumbushwe kwa njia ya kutaja dosari? Asasi za kiraia hazikuundwa kuisifia serikali bali kuwa wadau muhimu katika kuhudumia wananchi.
Nane, kuna kila sababu ya kujenga mashaka juu ya waziri kutumwa au kujituma kujaribu kutishia kuua mkondo sahihi wa kupata elimu bora. Nkya anashauriwa kujifunza na kuvumilia. Lakini muhimu, aache HakiElimu ifanye kazi yake.
(Makala hii itachapishwa katika gazeti la Tanzania Daima Jumapili(26/10/2008). Mwandishi anapatikana kwa simu: 0713 614872 na imeili ndimara@yahoo.com).
Friday, October 24, 2008
Friday, October 17, 2008
WALIMU WANAPOFANYWA NDONDOCHA
Amri 10 za CCM kwa walimu?
Na Ndimara Tegambwage
WIKI iliyopita nilikuwa darasani, katika ukumbi wa Taasisi ya Benki Kuu (BoT) jijini Mwanza. HakiElimu walikuwa wakifafanua maana ya “Elimu Bora” na mimi nikielekeza jinsi ya kuandika habari za uchunguzi katika eneo hili.
Ghafla simu yangu ikalia. Ni ujumbe. Wanaita sms. Naichukua na kusoma ujumbe. Sina sababu ya kukalia kilichokuwemo kwenye ujumbe huu.
Zilikuwa “amri 10” za Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) kwa walimu nchini. Niziandike au nisiziandike…? Basi, kwa kuwa sikusikia jibu lako naziandika:
1. Mara zote mfanye mwalimu kuwa mwoga kwa chama (CCM) na serikali
2. Mlaghai kwa wito na si kipato
3. Mfundishe kuwa mpole ili asidai haki zake
4. Mfanye asiajiriwe sekta nyingine ili umtumie
5. Mlipe kidogo atumike milele
6. Mtumie kwenye chaguzi na sensa ili ajione bora.
7. Msifie kila siku avimbe kichwa
8. Weka viongozi wa CCM kwenye CWT asifurukute
9. Mtumie kama ubao wa matangazo kwa Tshirts za CCM
10. Mara zote wagawe na kuwatawala.
Nilianza kucheka peke yangu. Kicheko kikaenea kwa wengine. Kila mmoja darasani akaanza kucheka hata kabla ya kuwaambia kipi kilikuwa kinanichekesha. Ukawa kama ule ugonjwa wa kucheka ukumboa shule mara kwa mara.
Ndipo nikaanza kuwasomea ujumbe wa simu. Wengi walicheka. Wachache walinuna. Huwezi kujua haraka kwa nini hao wachache walinuna. Labda waliwasikitikia walimu au labda walikuwa makada wa chama kinachodaiwa kuwatotoza walimu.
Je, waliocheka? Niliuliza mmoja wa washiriki wa mafunzo. Alijibu kuwa amefurahishwa na ujumbe mkali, wa maana tena wakati walimu wakiwa wanajiandaa kuandamana kudai haki zao, ukiwa umeandikwa kwa njia ya kejeli.
Mwingine akasema amefurahishwa na hali ya juu mno ya usanii ya kuwasilisha jambo kubwa na lenye ujumbe mkali lakini kwa njia inayoonekana ya utani.
Mwingine akasema ni ujumbe uliokomaa; usioweza kupuuzwa na unaoeleweka zaidi. Huyo aliongeza, “Huo ndio ukweli wenyewe kuhusu walimu.” Huyu ni mwandishi wa habari aliyewahi kuwa mwalimu.
Ujumbe wa simu ulikuja wakati mwezeshaji Gervas Zombwe wa HakiElimu amemaliza kufafanulia washiriki “Nini maana ya elimu bora.” Alikuwa pia amewauliza iwapo waliishawahi kuona taarifa yoyote ya serikali juu ya elimu bora.
Kwa mfano, wanafunzi wanajua kusoma na kuandika? Wanaelewa kinachofundishwa? Wameshika walichosoma na kusomeshwa? Wana uwezo wa kuuliza maswali kuonyesha sasa wameelewa?
Labda hayo ni madogo. Angalia haya hapa. Je, kwa elimu inayotolewa, serikali inajua jinsi ya kupima iwapo elimu imewasaidia wanafunzi? Imewapa uwezo kufikiri? Kuzalisha mawazo? Kudadisi? Kukataa mambo kadhaa katika jamii kutokana na uelewa utokanao na elimu?
Je, serikali ina njia za kupima yote haya na mengine? Kama njia ipo, mbona hakuna ripoti juu ya vipimo hivi? Inawezekana kuna vipimo lakini matokeo yake hayawekwi wazi? Au serikali haifanyi vipimo hivyo na ina sababu ya kutofanya hivyo?
HakiElimu wana usemi kwamba elimu siyo cheti. Kuna walioanzisha ugomvi tayari na shirika hili kwa kauli hiyo tu. Lakini ukikaa na hao walioanzisha ugomvi utasikia wakilalamika, “Yule bwana ana digrii lakini hakuna anachoweza.”
Kwa nini amefikia kupata cheti cha Kidato cha IV, cha VI au digrii bila kufahamu kuwa hajui chochote? Si kwa kuwa hakuna vipimo vya uelewa? Si kwa kuwa hakuna vipimo vya elimu bora vinavyozingatia uwezo wa kufikiri, kudadisi na kuzalisha mawazo ang’avu yanayojitegemea?
Si kwa kuwa vipimo vilivyopo vinalenga kupima uwezo wa kukumbuka tu lakini siyo uwezo wa kufikiri? Si kwa kuwa mitihani ni ya kuvizia na iliyolenga kujenga misingi ya kubahatisha tu na siyo ujenzi wa akili inayojitegemea?
Hoja ya HakiElimu kuwa elimu siyo vyeti haipingi kuwa na vyeti au digrii. Digrii ni muhimu. Siyo moja. Nyingi tu. Lakini utukufu wa digrii uwe kichwani na siyo kwenye karatasi. Kwamba, cheti kiwe kitambulisho tu cha muhusika aliyepata uwezo wa kufikiri na ung’amuzi.
Ndiyo maana lazima watoto wapelekwe shule. Lakini watoto hawaendi shuleni kutafuta digrii. Wanakwenda kutafuta elimu. Wakiishaipata, wapewe cheti kama ithibati.
Ukimaliza shule ya msingi, sekondari au chuo kikuu bila kuwa na uwezo wa kufikiri, kudadisi, kuzalisha mawazo na kupembua masuala kadha wa kadhaa, unapewa cheti kwa misingi ipi? Umesoma lakini hujapata elimu na hustahili kupewa cheti.
Hapa, cheti au digrii itakuwa liwazo tu kwa ujinga uliotukuka kwa kupitia madarasa mengi na kupata marafiki wengi kwa miaka mingi darasani. Basi.
Lakini mwalimu anayepaswa kutoa elimu tangu ngazi ya chini ya elimu ya awali, yuko katika mazingira yapi? Ana elimu gani, achilia mbali karatasi ziitwazo vyeti na digrii? Ana vifaa gani?
Mbali na yote hayo, je, ni mwalimu yuleyule ambaye ujumbe wa simu unaelezea kwamba amefungwa mikono na miguu na kwamba sharti aimbe utukufu wa chama tawala, alemae, asilete uasi, awe ndondocha ndipo atathaminiwa?
Kuna mambo matatu hapa: Ujumbe wa simu. Mgomo wa walimu. Darasa la HakiElimu. Yote yalikuja kwa wakati mmoja. Kuna kila sababu ya kuyatafakari kwa pamoja.
Je, watawala wanahitaji elimu bora kwa nchi hii? Kama hawahitaji, wajue wananchi wanahitaji. Mahali pa kuanzia ni kuwa na lugha moja ya kufundishia – Kiswahili – ambayo kwa kiwango kikubwa inaeleweka kwa mwanafunzi na mwalimu.
Jambo jingine ni kuwa na mtaala mmoja wa kufundishia. Leo hii kuna mtaala wa Aga Khan, mtaala wa Cambridge na mtaala wa “taifa” (?!) Mitaala mitatu katika nchi moja. Hii ni kwa manufaa ya nani?
Kingine ni kuweka utaratibu wa kupima elimu bora – kujua kusoma na kuandika, kufikiri na kudadisi. Lakini upatikanaji wa elimu hii utatokana, pamoja na mambo mengine, mapinzuzi makubwa katika kuimarisha uwezo wa walimu wenyewe na mazingira waliyomo.
Kama mwalimu atakabwa koo ili aabudu siasa, kama ujumbe wa simu unavyotaka niamini; hata kile kidogo, ambacho kingepatikana katika mazingira magumu, hakitapatikana.
Itakuwa kama serikali imefunga shule na kuamua nchi itawaliwe na watu wawili: Mzee siasa za chama tawala na ujinga. Lakini bado serikali inaweza na ina fursa kubwa ya kubadili mkondo huu.
(Makala hii itachapishwa katika gazeti la Tanzania Daima Jumapili 19/10/2008. Mwandishi anapatikana kwa simu 0713 614872 na imeili:ndimara@yahoo.com)
Na Ndimara Tegambwage
WIKI iliyopita nilikuwa darasani, katika ukumbi wa Taasisi ya Benki Kuu (BoT) jijini Mwanza. HakiElimu walikuwa wakifafanua maana ya “Elimu Bora” na mimi nikielekeza jinsi ya kuandika habari za uchunguzi katika eneo hili.
Ghafla simu yangu ikalia. Ni ujumbe. Wanaita sms. Naichukua na kusoma ujumbe. Sina sababu ya kukalia kilichokuwemo kwenye ujumbe huu.
Zilikuwa “amri 10” za Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) kwa walimu nchini. Niziandike au nisiziandike…? Basi, kwa kuwa sikusikia jibu lako naziandika:
1. Mara zote mfanye mwalimu kuwa mwoga kwa chama (CCM) na serikali
2. Mlaghai kwa wito na si kipato
3. Mfundishe kuwa mpole ili asidai haki zake
4. Mfanye asiajiriwe sekta nyingine ili umtumie
5. Mlipe kidogo atumike milele
6. Mtumie kwenye chaguzi na sensa ili ajione bora.
7. Msifie kila siku avimbe kichwa
8. Weka viongozi wa CCM kwenye CWT asifurukute
9. Mtumie kama ubao wa matangazo kwa Tshirts za CCM
10. Mara zote wagawe na kuwatawala.
Nilianza kucheka peke yangu. Kicheko kikaenea kwa wengine. Kila mmoja darasani akaanza kucheka hata kabla ya kuwaambia kipi kilikuwa kinanichekesha. Ukawa kama ule ugonjwa wa kucheka ukumboa shule mara kwa mara.
Ndipo nikaanza kuwasomea ujumbe wa simu. Wengi walicheka. Wachache walinuna. Huwezi kujua haraka kwa nini hao wachache walinuna. Labda waliwasikitikia walimu au labda walikuwa makada wa chama kinachodaiwa kuwatotoza walimu.
Je, waliocheka? Niliuliza mmoja wa washiriki wa mafunzo. Alijibu kuwa amefurahishwa na ujumbe mkali, wa maana tena wakati walimu wakiwa wanajiandaa kuandamana kudai haki zao, ukiwa umeandikwa kwa njia ya kejeli.
Mwingine akasema amefurahishwa na hali ya juu mno ya usanii ya kuwasilisha jambo kubwa na lenye ujumbe mkali lakini kwa njia inayoonekana ya utani.
Mwingine akasema ni ujumbe uliokomaa; usioweza kupuuzwa na unaoeleweka zaidi. Huyo aliongeza, “Huo ndio ukweli wenyewe kuhusu walimu.” Huyu ni mwandishi wa habari aliyewahi kuwa mwalimu.
Ujumbe wa simu ulikuja wakati mwezeshaji Gervas Zombwe wa HakiElimu amemaliza kufafanulia washiriki “Nini maana ya elimu bora.” Alikuwa pia amewauliza iwapo waliishawahi kuona taarifa yoyote ya serikali juu ya elimu bora.
Kwa mfano, wanafunzi wanajua kusoma na kuandika? Wanaelewa kinachofundishwa? Wameshika walichosoma na kusomeshwa? Wana uwezo wa kuuliza maswali kuonyesha sasa wameelewa?
Labda hayo ni madogo. Angalia haya hapa. Je, kwa elimu inayotolewa, serikali inajua jinsi ya kupima iwapo elimu imewasaidia wanafunzi? Imewapa uwezo kufikiri? Kuzalisha mawazo? Kudadisi? Kukataa mambo kadhaa katika jamii kutokana na uelewa utokanao na elimu?
Je, serikali ina njia za kupima yote haya na mengine? Kama njia ipo, mbona hakuna ripoti juu ya vipimo hivi? Inawezekana kuna vipimo lakini matokeo yake hayawekwi wazi? Au serikali haifanyi vipimo hivyo na ina sababu ya kutofanya hivyo?
HakiElimu wana usemi kwamba elimu siyo cheti. Kuna walioanzisha ugomvi tayari na shirika hili kwa kauli hiyo tu. Lakini ukikaa na hao walioanzisha ugomvi utasikia wakilalamika, “Yule bwana ana digrii lakini hakuna anachoweza.”
Kwa nini amefikia kupata cheti cha Kidato cha IV, cha VI au digrii bila kufahamu kuwa hajui chochote? Si kwa kuwa hakuna vipimo vya uelewa? Si kwa kuwa hakuna vipimo vya elimu bora vinavyozingatia uwezo wa kufikiri, kudadisi na kuzalisha mawazo ang’avu yanayojitegemea?
Si kwa kuwa vipimo vilivyopo vinalenga kupima uwezo wa kukumbuka tu lakini siyo uwezo wa kufikiri? Si kwa kuwa mitihani ni ya kuvizia na iliyolenga kujenga misingi ya kubahatisha tu na siyo ujenzi wa akili inayojitegemea?
Hoja ya HakiElimu kuwa elimu siyo vyeti haipingi kuwa na vyeti au digrii. Digrii ni muhimu. Siyo moja. Nyingi tu. Lakini utukufu wa digrii uwe kichwani na siyo kwenye karatasi. Kwamba, cheti kiwe kitambulisho tu cha muhusika aliyepata uwezo wa kufikiri na ung’amuzi.
Ndiyo maana lazima watoto wapelekwe shule. Lakini watoto hawaendi shuleni kutafuta digrii. Wanakwenda kutafuta elimu. Wakiishaipata, wapewe cheti kama ithibati.
Ukimaliza shule ya msingi, sekondari au chuo kikuu bila kuwa na uwezo wa kufikiri, kudadisi, kuzalisha mawazo na kupembua masuala kadha wa kadhaa, unapewa cheti kwa misingi ipi? Umesoma lakini hujapata elimu na hustahili kupewa cheti.
Hapa, cheti au digrii itakuwa liwazo tu kwa ujinga uliotukuka kwa kupitia madarasa mengi na kupata marafiki wengi kwa miaka mingi darasani. Basi.
Lakini mwalimu anayepaswa kutoa elimu tangu ngazi ya chini ya elimu ya awali, yuko katika mazingira yapi? Ana elimu gani, achilia mbali karatasi ziitwazo vyeti na digrii? Ana vifaa gani?
Mbali na yote hayo, je, ni mwalimu yuleyule ambaye ujumbe wa simu unaelezea kwamba amefungwa mikono na miguu na kwamba sharti aimbe utukufu wa chama tawala, alemae, asilete uasi, awe ndondocha ndipo atathaminiwa?
Kuna mambo matatu hapa: Ujumbe wa simu. Mgomo wa walimu. Darasa la HakiElimu. Yote yalikuja kwa wakati mmoja. Kuna kila sababu ya kuyatafakari kwa pamoja.
Je, watawala wanahitaji elimu bora kwa nchi hii? Kama hawahitaji, wajue wananchi wanahitaji. Mahali pa kuanzia ni kuwa na lugha moja ya kufundishia – Kiswahili – ambayo kwa kiwango kikubwa inaeleweka kwa mwanafunzi na mwalimu.
Jambo jingine ni kuwa na mtaala mmoja wa kufundishia. Leo hii kuna mtaala wa Aga Khan, mtaala wa Cambridge na mtaala wa “taifa” (?!) Mitaala mitatu katika nchi moja. Hii ni kwa manufaa ya nani?
Kingine ni kuweka utaratibu wa kupima elimu bora – kujua kusoma na kuandika, kufikiri na kudadisi. Lakini upatikanaji wa elimu hii utatokana, pamoja na mambo mengine, mapinzuzi makubwa katika kuimarisha uwezo wa walimu wenyewe na mazingira waliyomo.
Kama mwalimu atakabwa koo ili aabudu siasa, kama ujumbe wa simu unavyotaka niamini; hata kile kidogo, ambacho kingepatikana katika mazingira magumu, hakitapatikana.
Itakuwa kama serikali imefunga shule na kuamua nchi itawaliwe na watu wawili: Mzee siasa za chama tawala na ujinga. Lakini bado serikali inaweza na ina fursa kubwa ya kubadili mkondo huu.
(Makala hii itachapishwa katika gazeti la Tanzania Daima Jumapili 19/10/2008. Mwandishi anapatikana kwa simu 0713 614872 na imeili:ndimara@yahoo.com)
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
WHEN THE PRISONER IMPRISONS THE GUARD
Government Minister banned
after banning newspaper
In a dramatic turn of events, the minister of information who banned a popular tabloid - MwanaHALISI - in Tanzania has been banned from appearing in the press for the same period of the sentence as metted on the tabloid.
The Tanzania Editors Forum, now at its formative stage, has decided that no information, on whaterver Minister George Mkuchika does, should appear in the press for three months effective yesterday.
Mr. Mkuchika banned MwanaHALISI last Monday for allegedly publishing "seditious" material.
In its strongly worded statement, the Forum blamed the government for the ban but indicated that it was probably the minister who was squinted in matters related to media and freedom of expression.
The editors resolved to go to court to seek an estopel on the execution of the ban by the minister; organise a demo by media workers to protest the ban; plead with president Jakaya Kikwete to remove Mkuchika from his current portifolio as he has "proved a failure," and circulate information to all development partiners on the government behaviour which does not augur well with democratic governance and freedom of expression.
The minister, according to a draconian law in place (Newspaper Act of 1976), may ban a newspaper anytime and without giving reasons for the action. However, in the case of MwanaHALISI, the minister has enlisted ashamedly feeble arguments which he alleges constitute sedition (See charges hereunder and replies provided by publishers of the tabloid).
Government bans
MwanaHALISI tabloid
The Tanzania government has banned MwanaHALISI, a popular weekly tabloid for three months effective Monday 13th October 2008.
The ban, announced by the Minister for Information Culture and Sports, George Mkuchika was announced at a press conference in Dar es Salaam .
The minister accused the tabloid of consistent publication of “seditious” material. Sedition, a political crime, is entrenched in the Tanzania draconian Newspapers Act of 1976.
Government action stems from a front page story of MwanaHALISI of 8th October instant, which detailed underground moves to block President Jakaya Kikwete from running for the second term in office.
According to the tabloid, there are moves within the ruling party – Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), to “oust” Mr. Kikwete and have a different person run for presidency come general elections in 2010.
The story gives names of individual persons, including deputy ministers for home affairs and defence as belonging to the clique bent on making it hard for Mr. Kikwete to attempt the second term. On the list is the son of the president, Mr. Ridhiwani Kikwete who the tabloid says “may not know what is going on.”
Ridhiwani is said to be campaigning for a prospective chairperson of the ruling party’s youth wing in the current run-up to elections; a man the papers says, is among those who want Kikwete to be a “one-term president.”
Police in Dar es Salaam yesterday (12th October) held and interrogated the publisher of MwanaHALISI, Saed Kubenea for four hours from 17hrs and finally told him they will be charging him with sedition.
Accompanied by his lawyer, Mabere Marando, Kubenea told the police that there was nothing seditious in the story, the statement his lawyer repeatedly emphasized but police would not yield.
The editor of the tabloid, Mr. Jabir Idrissa was equally subjected to interrogation by the police and jointly charged with sedition. It is not clear as to when the two will appear in court to answer the charges.
MwanaHALISI has, for a year now, been subjected to threats by the department of information of the Ministry of Information, Culture and Sports (MAELEZO).
Besides, big businesses have also threatened to sue the publisher while others have already instituted cases at the high court in Dar es Salaam.
The weekly tabloid, established in May 2006, has all along championed investigative journalism of its kind to a point that the publisher and the paper’s editorial advisor and media consultant Ndimara Tegambwage, were attacked (on 5th January 2008) by thugs wielding machetes and acid. The thugs were suspected to be working for some political interests. The case is still drugging in court.
As at 17 hrs Wednesday (East African Time) over 3,000 calls had been received from readers all over the country condemning government action and pledging support.
The publisher told the press in Dar es Salaam later that evening that he was contemplating going to court to seek to halt execution of the ban.
ends
PRESS RELEASE
10th October 2008
GOVERNMENT INTENTION TO BAN MwanaHALISI
It is now clear that the government is intending to ban our newspaper, MwanaHALISI. It is accusing it of sedition – a political crime.
On 8th October 2008, the Ministry of Information Culture and Sports, responding to our story on an underground movement to make President Jakaya Kikwete a one-term president, issued a statement condemning the paper and alleging it had committed sedition. It demanded an explanation, in three days, as to why measures should not be taken against the tabloid.
On the same day, the information services department of the ministry (MAELEZO), charged the paper had committed sedition and demanded an explanation on the following day.
As if that was not enough, the Director of Communications at the state House, Salva Rweyemamu, last night castigated the paper, falling short of calling it a rumour machine.
This sort of orchestration is definitely meant to put an end to the life of the people’s paper, which has occasionally been attacked by government and some big businesses.
At MwanaHALISI we remain confident of what we are doing; stand by our story; look forward to seeing characters mentioned for their roles come up in court; and at the same time earnestly plead with the government to observe the highest degree of tolerance.
Attached herewith find our response to the ministry, MAELEZO and Attorney General.
................
Saed Kubenea
Managing Director
Kasaba Street, Plot 57/31A Kinondoni
P. O. Box 67311, Dar es Salaam, Tel.: +255 784 440 073, 0784 447077
Fax: +255 22 276 0560, website:www.halihalisi.com.tz/mwana
E-mail: halihalisi06@yahoo.com
09/10/008
Kumb. M/HHPL/MC/001/16
Mkurugenzi,
MAELEZO
S.L.P 9142,
Dar es Salaam.
KUH: KUJITETEA
Tafadhali rejea barua yako yenye Kumb. Na ISC/N.100/1/VOL.V/11 inayomtaka mhariri wa gazeti hili kutoa utetezi kwa nini MwanaHALISI lisichukuliwe hatua kwa kuandika habari ambazo umeita za “uchochezi.”
Rejea pia barua yako ya leo Kumb. Na ISC/N.100/1/VOL.V/12 ikijibu barua yetu ya leo (Kumb. Na. Kumb. M/HHPL/MC/001/15) ambamo unakataa katakata kuongeza muda wa kuleta utetezi na kutishia kuchukua hatua iwapo hatukujibu leo.
Kwa kuzingatia shinikizo uliloweka na kwa kuwa wachapishaji wa MwanaHALISI wasingependa kuwa katika malumbano na ofisi yako, tunaleta hapa, maelezo ambayo tuna uhakika yatakidhi matakwa yako, ingawa labda yangekuwa ya kina zaidi kama yangetolewa na mhariri mkuu ambaye anatarajiwa kurejea jijini baadaye wiki hii.
Utetezi:
Kwa ujumla, gazeti halijaandika lolote linaloweza kuitwa uchochezi.
1. Tuhuma: Kugombanisha Rais Kikwete na mwanae Ridhiwani na kuleta mtafaruku katika familia ya rais:
Jibu: Kipengele kinachohusu Ridhiwani hakina chembe hata moja ya uchochezi. Badala yake kina taarifa inayoweza kuthibitishwa kwa vitendo na kauli za wengi. Hapa hakuna uchochezi.
2. Tuhuma: Uhasama kati ya Rais Kikwete (Mwenyekiti wa CCM na Viongozi Waandamizi (Bwana Rostam Azizi na Edward Lowassa) katika Chama Cha Mapinduzi.
Jibu: Kilichosemwa juu ya watajwa kinaweza kulalamikiwa na watajwa wenyewe iwapo wanaona kuwa hakipo. Gazeti limenukuu wahusika ambao wana uwezo wa kuthibitisha hayo. Hapa hakuna uchochezi.
3. Tuhuma: Kuchochea chuki na uhasama kwa kulinganisha hali iliyofanya Rais Thabo Mbeki wa Afrika Kusini ajiuzulu na hali ilivyo Tanzania .
Jibu: Gazeti lina nafasi ya kuangalia, kuchambua na kulinganisha. Kinachoonekana kuwa tofauti kati yako na mwandishi wa habari ni suala la mtazamo tu na hakihusiani na uchochezi.
4. Tuhuma: Kutumia vibaya uhuru wa kuandika habari, kwa kuvuka ukomo wa uhuru wa mhariri unapoishia na kuingilia uhuru wa wengine.
Jibu: Hatuna popote pale tulipokiuka “ukomo wa uhuru” wa mhariri wala kuingilia uhuru wa mtu mwingine. Habari husika inajadili “watu wa umma” katika nafasi za utumishi wa umma; katika maeneo ambayo hawawezi kukana wala kudai kwenda mahakamani kwani itathibitika kinyume na madai yoyote yale dhidi ya chombo hiki cha habari. Aidha, ofisi yako inajua vema kwamba haijawahi kueleza “ukomo wa uhuru,” jambo ambalo lingeleta utata wa kisheria na mgogoro wa Katiba. Hapa hakuna uchochezi.
5. Tuhuma: Kudanganya kuwa juhudi zote za kumpata Bwana Ridhiwani zimeshindikana bila uthibitisho.
Jibu: Tunao uthibitisho wa hilo kwa siku na saa ambapo tulijitahidi kumpata. Hapa hakuna uchochezi.
Naomba kuwasilisha kwamba hakuna tulipofanya uchochezi na wewe hustahili kuchukua hatua yoyote dhidi yetu.
...................
Saed Kubenea
Mkurugenzi Mtendaji
Nakala kwa:
Katibu Mkuu,
Wizara ya Habari, Utamaduni na Michezo,
Dar es Salaam.
Mwanasheria Mkuu wa Serikali,
S.L.P 9050,
Dar es Salaam.
after banning newspaper
In a dramatic turn of events, the minister of information who banned a popular tabloid - MwanaHALISI - in Tanzania has been banned from appearing in the press for the same period of the sentence as metted on the tabloid.
The Tanzania Editors Forum, now at its formative stage, has decided that no information, on whaterver Minister George Mkuchika does, should appear in the press for three months effective yesterday.
Mr. Mkuchika banned MwanaHALISI last Monday for allegedly publishing "seditious" material.
In its strongly worded statement, the Forum blamed the government for the ban but indicated that it was probably the minister who was squinted in matters related to media and freedom of expression.
The editors resolved to go to court to seek an estopel on the execution of the ban by the minister; organise a demo by media workers to protest the ban; plead with president Jakaya Kikwete to remove Mkuchika from his current portifolio as he has "proved a failure," and circulate information to all development partiners on the government behaviour which does not augur well with democratic governance and freedom of expression.
The minister, according to a draconian law in place (Newspaper Act of 1976), may ban a newspaper anytime and without giving reasons for the action. However, in the case of MwanaHALISI, the minister has enlisted ashamedly feeble arguments which he alleges constitute sedition (See charges hereunder and replies provided by publishers of the tabloid).
Government bans
MwanaHALISI tabloid
The Tanzania government has banned MwanaHALISI, a popular weekly tabloid for three months effective Monday 13th October 2008.
The ban, announced by the Minister for Information Culture and Sports, George Mkuchika was announced at a press conference in Dar es Salaam .
The minister accused the tabloid of consistent publication of “seditious” material. Sedition, a political crime, is entrenched in the Tanzania draconian Newspapers Act of 1976.
Government action stems from a front page story of MwanaHALISI of 8th October instant, which detailed underground moves to block President Jakaya Kikwete from running for the second term in office.
According to the tabloid, there are moves within the ruling party – Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), to “oust” Mr. Kikwete and have a different person run for presidency come general elections in 2010.
The story gives names of individual persons, including deputy ministers for home affairs and defence as belonging to the clique bent on making it hard for Mr. Kikwete to attempt the second term. On the list is the son of the president, Mr. Ridhiwani Kikwete who the tabloid says “may not know what is going on.”
Ridhiwani is said to be campaigning for a prospective chairperson of the ruling party’s youth wing in the current run-up to elections; a man the papers says, is among those who want Kikwete to be a “one-term president.”
Police in Dar es Salaam yesterday (12th October) held and interrogated the publisher of MwanaHALISI, Saed Kubenea for four hours from 17hrs and finally told him they will be charging him with sedition.
Accompanied by his lawyer, Mabere Marando, Kubenea told the police that there was nothing seditious in the story, the statement his lawyer repeatedly emphasized but police would not yield.
The editor of the tabloid, Mr. Jabir Idrissa was equally subjected to interrogation by the police and jointly charged with sedition. It is not clear as to when the two will appear in court to answer the charges.
MwanaHALISI has, for a year now, been subjected to threats by the department of information of the Ministry of Information, Culture and Sports (MAELEZO).
Besides, big businesses have also threatened to sue the publisher while others have already instituted cases at the high court in Dar es Salaam.
The weekly tabloid, established in May 2006, has all along championed investigative journalism of its kind to a point that the publisher and the paper’s editorial advisor and media consultant Ndimara Tegambwage, were attacked (on 5th January 2008) by thugs wielding machetes and acid. The thugs were suspected to be working for some political interests. The case is still drugging in court.
As at 17 hrs Wednesday (East African Time) over 3,000 calls had been received from readers all over the country condemning government action and pledging support.
The publisher told the press in Dar es Salaam later that evening that he was contemplating going to court to seek to halt execution of the ban.
ends
PRESS RELEASE
10th October 2008
GOVERNMENT INTENTION TO BAN MwanaHALISI
It is now clear that the government is intending to ban our newspaper, MwanaHALISI. It is accusing it of sedition – a political crime.
On 8th October 2008, the Ministry of Information Culture and Sports, responding to our story on an underground movement to make President Jakaya Kikwete a one-term president, issued a statement condemning the paper and alleging it had committed sedition. It demanded an explanation, in three days, as to why measures should not be taken against the tabloid.
On the same day, the information services department of the ministry (MAELEZO), charged the paper had committed sedition and demanded an explanation on the following day.
As if that was not enough, the Director of Communications at the state House, Salva Rweyemamu, last night castigated the paper, falling short of calling it a rumour machine.
This sort of orchestration is definitely meant to put an end to the life of the people’s paper, which has occasionally been attacked by government and some big businesses.
At MwanaHALISI we remain confident of what we are doing; stand by our story; look forward to seeing characters mentioned for their roles come up in court; and at the same time earnestly plead with the government to observe the highest degree of tolerance.
Attached herewith find our response to the ministry, MAELEZO and Attorney General.
................
Saed Kubenea
Managing Director
Kasaba Street, Plot 57/31A Kinondoni
P. O. Box 67311, Dar es Salaam, Tel.: +255 784 440 073, 0784 447077
Fax: +255 22 276 0560, website:www.halihalisi.com.tz/mwana
E-mail: halihalisi06@yahoo.com
09/10/008
Kumb. M/HHPL/MC/001/16
Mkurugenzi,
MAELEZO
S.L.P 9142,
Dar es Salaam.
KUH: KUJITETEA
Tafadhali rejea barua yako yenye Kumb. Na ISC/N.100/1/VOL.V/11 inayomtaka mhariri wa gazeti hili kutoa utetezi kwa nini MwanaHALISI lisichukuliwe hatua kwa kuandika habari ambazo umeita za “uchochezi.”
Rejea pia barua yako ya leo Kumb. Na ISC/N.100/1/VOL.V/12 ikijibu barua yetu ya leo (Kumb. Na. Kumb. M/HHPL/MC/001/15) ambamo unakataa katakata kuongeza muda wa kuleta utetezi na kutishia kuchukua hatua iwapo hatukujibu leo.
Kwa kuzingatia shinikizo uliloweka na kwa kuwa wachapishaji wa MwanaHALISI wasingependa kuwa katika malumbano na ofisi yako, tunaleta hapa, maelezo ambayo tuna uhakika yatakidhi matakwa yako, ingawa labda yangekuwa ya kina zaidi kama yangetolewa na mhariri mkuu ambaye anatarajiwa kurejea jijini baadaye wiki hii.
Utetezi:
Kwa ujumla, gazeti halijaandika lolote linaloweza kuitwa uchochezi.
1. Tuhuma: Kugombanisha Rais Kikwete na mwanae Ridhiwani na kuleta mtafaruku katika familia ya rais:
Jibu: Kipengele kinachohusu Ridhiwani hakina chembe hata moja ya uchochezi. Badala yake kina taarifa inayoweza kuthibitishwa kwa vitendo na kauli za wengi. Hapa hakuna uchochezi.
2. Tuhuma: Uhasama kati ya Rais Kikwete (Mwenyekiti wa CCM na Viongozi Waandamizi (Bwana Rostam Azizi na Edward Lowassa) katika Chama Cha Mapinduzi.
Jibu: Kilichosemwa juu ya watajwa kinaweza kulalamikiwa na watajwa wenyewe iwapo wanaona kuwa hakipo. Gazeti limenukuu wahusika ambao wana uwezo wa kuthibitisha hayo. Hapa hakuna uchochezi.
3. Tuhuma: Kuchochea chuki na uhasama kwa kulinganisha hali iliyofanya Rais Thabo Mbeki wa Afrika Kusini ajiuzulu na hali ilivyo Tanzania .
Jibu: Gazeti lina nafasi ya kuangalia, kuchambua na kulinganisha. Kinachoonekana kuwa tofauti kati yako na mwandishi wa habari ni suala la mtazamo tu na hakihusiani na uchochezi.
4. Tuhuma: Kutumia vibaya uhuru wa kuandika habari, kwa kuvuka ukomo wa uhuru wa mhariri unapoishia na kuingilia uhuru wa wengine.
Jibu: Hatuna popote pale tulipokiuka “ukomo wa uhuru” wa mhariri wala kuingilia uhuru wa mtu mwingine. Habari husika inajadili “watu wa umma” katika nafasi za utumishi wa umma; katika maeneo ambayo hawawezi kukana wala kudai kwenda mahakamani kwani itathibitika kinyume na madai yoyote yale dhidi ya chombo hiki cha habari. Aidha, ofisi yako inajua vema kwamba haijawahi kueleza “ukomo wa uhuru,” jambo ambalo lingeleta utata wa kisheria na mgogoro wa Katiba. Hapa hakuna uchochezi.
5. Tuhuma: Kudanganya kuwa juhudi zote za kumpata Bwana Ridhiwani zimeshindikana bila uthibitisho.
Jibu: Tunao uthibitisho wa hilo kwa siku na saa ambapo tulijitahidi kumpata. Hapa hakuna uchochezi.
Naomba kuwasilisha kwamba hakuna tulipofanya uchochezi na wewe hustahili kuchukua hatua yoyote dhidi yetu.
...................
Saed Kubenea
Mkurugenzi Mtendaji
Nakala kwa:
Katibu Mkuu,
Wizara ya Habari, Utamaduni na Michezo,
Dar es Salaam.
Mwanasheria Mkuu wa Serikali,
S.L.P 9050,
Dar es Salaam.
Monday, October 13, 2008
TANZANIA GOVERNMENT SILENCES MEDIA BIG GUN
Government bans
MwanaHALISI tabloid
The Tanzania government has banned MwanaHALISI, a popular weekly tabloid for three months effective today, 13th October 2008.
The ban, announced by the Minister for Information Culture and Sports, George Mkuchika was announced at a press conference in Dar es Salaam.
The minister accused the tabloid of consistent publication of “seditious” material. Sedition, a political crime, is entrenched in the Tanzania draconian Newspapers Act of 1976.
Government action stems from a front page story of MwanaHALISI of 8th October instant, which detailed underground moves to block President Jakaya Kikwete from running for the second term in office.
According to the tabloid, there are moves within the ruling party – Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), to “oust” Mr. Kikwete and have a different person run for presidency come general elections in 2010.
The story gives names of individual persons, including deputy ministers for home affairs and defence as belonging to the clique bent on making it hard for Mr. Kikwete to attempt the second term. On the list is the son of the president, Mr. Ridhiwani Kikwete who the tabloid says “may not know what is going on.”
Ridhiwani is said to be campaigning for a prospective chairperson of the ruling party’s youth wing in the current run-up to elections; a man the papers says, is among those who want Kikwete to be a “one-term president.”
Police in Dar es Salaam yesterday (12th October) held and interrogated the publisher of MwanaHALISI, Saed Kubenea for four hours from 17hrs and finally told him they will be charging him with sedition.
Accompanied by his lawyer, Mabere Marando, Kubenea told the police that there was nothing seditious in the story, the statement his lawyer repeatedly emphasized but police would not budge.
This afternoon, the editor of the tabloid, Mr. Jabir Idrissa was equally subjected to interrogation by the police and jointly charged with sedition. It is not clear as to when the two will appear in court to answer the charges.
MwanaHALISI has, for a year now, been subjected to threats by the department of information of the Ministry of Information, Culture and Sports (MAELEZO).
Besides, big businesses have also threatened to sue the publisher while others have already instituted cases at the high court in Dar es Salaam.
The weekly tabloid, established in May 2006, has been championing investigative journalism of its kind to a point that the publisher and the paper’s editorial advisor and media consultant Ndimara Tegambwage, were attacked ( on 5 th January 2008) by machetes and acid by thugs suspected to be working for some political motives. The case is drugging in court.
As at 17 hrs today (East African time) over 3,000 calls had been received from readers all over the country, condemning government action.
The publisher told the press this morning that he was contemplating going to court to seek to halt execution of the ban.
ends
MwanaHALISI tabloid
The Tanzania government has banned MwanaHALISI, a popular weekly tabloid for three months effective today, 13th October 2008.
The ban, announced by the Minister for Information Culture and Sports, George Mkuchika was announced at a press conference in Dar es Salaam.
The minister accused the tabloid of consistent publication of “seditious” material. Sedition, a political crime, is entrenched in the Tanzania draconian Newspapers Act of 1976.
Government action stems from a front page story of MwanaHALISI of 8th October instant, which detailed underground moves to block President Jakaya Kikwete from running for the second term in office.
According to the tabloid, there are moves within the ruling party – Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), to “oust” Mr. Kikwete and have a different person run for presidency come general elections in 2010.
The story gives names of individual persons, including deputy ministers for home affairs and defence as belonging to the clique bent on making it hard for Mr. Kikwete to attempt the second term. On the list is the son of the president, Mr. Ridhiwani Kikwete who the tabloid says “may not know what is going on.”
Ridhiwani is said to be campaigning for a prospective chairperson of the ruling party’s youth wing in the current run-up to elections; a man the papers says, is among those who want Kikwete to be a “one-term president.”
Police in Dar es Salaam yesterday (12th October) held and interrogated the publisher of MwanaHALISI, Saed Kubenea for four hours from 17hrs and finally told him they will be charging him with sedition.
Accompanied by his lawyer, Mabere Marando, Kubenea told the police that there was nothing seditious in the story, the statement his lawyer repeatedly emphasized but police would not budge.
This afternoon, the editor of the tabloid, Mr. Jabir Idrissa was equally subjected to interrogation by the police and jointly charged with sedition. It is not clear as to when the two will appear in court to answer the charges.
MwanaHALISI has, for a year now, been subjected to threats by the department of information of the Ministry of Information, Culture and Sports (MAELEZO).
Besides, big businesses have also threatened to sue the publisher while others have already instituted cases at the high court in Dar es Salaam.
The weekly tabloid, established in May 2006, has been championing investigative journalism of its kind to a point that the publisher and the paper’s editorial advisor and media consultant Ndimara Tegambwage, were attacked ( on 5 th January 2008) by machetes and acid by thugs suspected to be working for some political motives. The case is drugging in court.
As at 17 hrs today (East African time) over 3,000 calls had been received from readers all over the country, condemning government action.
The publisher told the press this morning that he was contemplating going to court to seek to halt execution of the ban.
ends