Mwinyi satisfied with anti-corruption crusade in public offices
PRESIDENT Hussein Ali Mwinyi on Friday officiated the ‘Anti-Corruption Day and Human Rights Day’, expressing satisfaction with efforts being made by government agencies in addressing the problems.
The International Anti Corruption Day and Human Rights Day are marked on December 9 and 10 respectively,but the government delayed them to December 16 to pave the way for celebrations of Independence Anniversary on December 9.
“When people or institutions perform well, we must commend them. I have been impressed by the work being done by Zanzibar Public Leaders Ethics Commission (ZAPLEC); Zanzibar Anti Corruption and Economic Crime Agency (ZAECA); Controller and Auditor General (CAG); Tanzania Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance (CHRAGG); and Department of Good Governance,” Dr Mwinyi noted.
The President explained that the move of preventing corruption and economic crimes requires joint efforts between the government and private institutions.
This year’s theme for Zanzibar is ‘Let us unite against corruption, embezzlement of public funds, theft of public property, and promote morals, human rights and the foundations of good governance for the development of society.’
He noted that ZAECA has the responsibility to work in collaboration with various local and foreign institutions for it to become effective in addressing corruption and economic crimes.
“ZAECA must also collaborate with Law Enforcement Organs, Civil Societies Organisations, Defence and Security Agencies, the anti-corruption authority (PCCB) and international organisations.
Strengthening collaboration increases public awareness over the effects of corruption and economic crimes,” he explained.
A total of 135 cases related to corruption and unethical conducts were recorded by ZAECA, and that 39 cases have been filed for judicial process under the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal actions, of which, 12 cases are in court and 1 case has been ruled.
For the year 2021/2022, ZAECA has managed to save a total of 1.3bn/- and that this year’s celebration of Ethics and Human Rights Day has been a very important way in conveying moral education to leaders and citizens.
“I would like to remind my fellow leaders that leadership is to serve people as stipulated in the Zanzibar Constitution of 1984 and that the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar has put in place strategies to curb corruption,” he said.
He hinted that the leaders’ ethics and property declaration forms submitted to ZAPLEC within time are 2,485 and those submitted after the deadline elapsed were 11 in 2021, and that the Commission received and handled a total of 22 complaints against violation of the ethics and misconduct.
The complaints were about abuse of power (18), sexual harassment (2), favoritism in employment (1) and neglecting the family (1).
…..ENDS…..
<><><><><><><><><><>><<>><><<>><<><>
SAUT uses digital space to enhance academic performance
From ALLY MAYALA in MWANZA
THE Saint Augustine University of Tanzania (SAUT) has maximised students’ utilisation of online library with the aim of boosting academic performance.
The online library supplies students with worldwide latest textbooks in different disciplines including communication, economics and business administration.
According to the university, students at SAUT can get exposed to different learning materials including textbooks by using their smart phones, laptops and desktops while they are at the university which is fully connected to Wi-Fi internet for them to access the online library named E-Resource; Research for Life.
Speaking to the ‘Sunday News’, SAUT Assistant Librarian, Mr Merdad Wilfred said the varsity had extended its online library through internet working with different universities across the country and abroad to enrich students and academicians with different publications from different authors across the world.
He was speaking during the Community Day which is marked in every December.
Mr Wilfred named Mzumbe University, University of Dar es Salaam, Institute of Accountancy Arusha, Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Makerere University, Day Star University, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University as some of the universities in Africa in which students and academicians across the country can access different publications directly by using the SAUT online library.
He further mentioned Vechita University based in Germany and Tampere University based in Finland as some of universities from Europe that are interlinked with the SAUT E-Resource for students to access textbooks so as to broaden their knowledge.
“Many students today access different materials online which emerged as the basis for literature reviews during their researches as part of academic qualification for them to be awarded their first degree, master or doctorate Degree,” said Wilfred.
He hinted that the future of the country education would be determined by the ability of students to efficiently use the digital space, digging knowledge to solve the country problems including unemployment and ignorance.
On his part, Mr Modestus Chilato, SAUT’s Senior Assistant Librarian said through Emerald Publishing which is conjoined to SAUT E-Resources students and scholars are allowed to access text books wherever across the country by using their own internet bundles.
Smile Mwanza Regional Sale Manager, Mr Omary Masanja told the Sunday News that they facilitated internet to SAUT’s students by selling to them Wi-Fi router capable of connecting nearly 10 devices, including phones, within the radius of 15 metres from the source at affordable prices.
Economic Expert and Analyst, Mr Mazagwa Iboku said that with countrywide students harnessing the digital space for learning, they will be exposed to international development perspective for transfer of knowledge and technology.
“Online materials are cheaper, they need only a student or scholar to have a smartphone and time management,” added Mr Iboku.
…..ENDS…..
<>><<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Focus on innovations to solve social problems, upcoming scientists challenged
By SAMWEL MWALONGO
TANZANIAN science students have been challenged to up efforts in focusing on innovations that would bring solutions to problems facing the society.
Director of Cooperate Services for Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH), Mr Emmanuel Mgonja, said the upcoming scientists should come up with new technologies that would turn challenges into opportunities.
He made the call during the closing of 10-month Future STEM Business Leaders programme (FSBL)in Dar es, Salaam.
The programme, which is run by the Dar Teknohama Business Incubator (DTBi) through in-kind support from the Institute of Physics (IOP) of London, United Kingdom, and is primarily driven by local partnerships including the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), aims at supporting students to apply their scientific training to solve local problems, through the creation of science-based business.
“The science students have to increase their efforts in focusing on innovations which intend to solve problems in society by finding the appropriate technologies that will turn those challenges into opportunities to face employment challenges in the country,” he underlined.
Explaining about the Programme, Mr Mgonja noted that the training would help change young people’s mentality and attitudes about science subjects and instead use such subjects as a opportunity for solving challenges in the societies.
“This training will encourage many young people to see science subjects as an opportunity that can help a person initiate business and create jobs,” he noted.
In a related development , Mr Mgonja applauded DBTi , UDSM and IOP as well as COSTECH for organising the Future STEM Business Leaders programme while imploring them to expand the scope in other regions to reach many young Tanzanians studying science.
Expounding, Chief Executive Officer of DTBi, Dr Erasto Mlyuka, unveiled that so far the programme has reached 85 students from Dar es salaam and Arusha since the programme started in 2017.
According to him, the DTBi is ensuring that the project is implemented throughout the country to reach many young innovators and encourage young people to take science subjects.
The CEO further said to ensure that innovations are brought to the market, the DTBi has come up with a module that involves partners who are implementers in the field of science including innovators, teachers and business mentors, while adding that the partnership will make progress in technological development in the county.
—-ENDS—–
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
TCRA reminds mobile users to verify, register simcards
By FLORIAN JAMAX
THE Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) has reminded users of mobile services to register their simcards, especially during this festival season, in order to protect themselves from cybercrimes.
Speaking during an interview in a local television channel, TCRA’s Head of Tele-Traffic Management, Mr Sadath Kalolo, said the verification of simcards will ensure safety of the mobile users.
“When verifying your simcards, you keep yourself and others safe, because those who do not register will be locked out of mobile services,” he stressed.
Mr Kalolo said the exercise to verify simcards started in December this year and will last until January 30, 2023.
“Once awareness campaign is concluded, users whose simcards have not been verified will not be able to access services,” he noted.
For those who use simcards registered with other people’s names should ensure that they obtain the national identity cards from the Authority of National Identification Authority (NIDA) and register those lines with their names.
Additionally, TCRA has instructed the youths who have turned 18 years old to acquire the national identity cards to register their simcards instead of continuing using IDs of their guardians or parents.
On his part, Mr Brighton Mosha, a mobile user from Dar es Salaam region, commended the ongoing countrywide exercise of simcards verification, saying it helped him to identify three mobile numbers registered under his name.
He said some scammers used simcards with fake names to swindle money from mobile users. These cybercriminals send sms to mobile users with intent to deceive them.
Ends….
><<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>><<>><<><><><>
264 candidates to re-sit for Std Seven exams in Kagera
From MEDDY MULISAin Bukoba
A TOTAL of 264 candidates from five centres in Kagera region will re-sit their Standard Seven examinations starting on Monday following the government decision to give a second chance to the pupils to demonstrate their ability to re-sit for exams.
Kagera Regional Education Development Officer (REO), Mr Khalifa Shemahonge told the ‘Sunday News’ that the government decision followed an outcry from parents and education stakeholders.
“In Kagera region there are a total of 264 candidates from five centres who will re-sit the exams from December 21-22, this year,” he said.
He listed the five centres including Rweikiza English Medium (Bukoba DC), Jamia English Medium and Karume English Medium –both Bukoba MC, St Severin English Medium (Biharamulo) and Kazoba English Medium (Karagwe District).
However, he strongly warned teachers and invigilators to avoid engaging in examination malpractices, adding that stern action would be taken against the culprits.
The National Examination Council of Tanzania (NECTA) recently cancelled results of 2,194 candidates estimated as 0.16 per cent of pupils who sat for 2022 Primary School Leaving Examinations (PSLE) countrywide for cheating.
Meanwhile, a total of 56,324 pupils have been selected to join Form One in Kagera region next year. Out of the number 30,402 were girls while 26,922 were boys.
Mr Shemahonge urged parents and guardians to ensure that all the selected pupils join classes next month and that all necessary preparations had been completed.
“We thank President Samia Suluhu Hassan for allocating over 10bn/- for the construction of 514 classrooms which had already been completed to allow the students to start classes next month. The registration exercise will be closed on December 31, this year and there will be no second selection as it was in the past,” he stressed.
The REO elaborated further that a total of 86,905 pupils have been registered for Nursery schools next year. Out of the number 42,898 were boys while 44, 007 were girls.
—-ENDS/Anderson——
