Vijana Erick Kiari kushoto Abel Adrian katikati na Anaheri Mkindi wakiwa chini ya ulinzi katika kituo cha polisi mkoa wa Morogoro baada ya kutuhumiwa kukutwa na meno ya tembo vipande 51 wakati wakisafiri kutoka mkoa wa Mbeya kwenda jijini Dar es Salaam kufuatia kukamatwa eneo la Msamvu mkoani Morogoro. (picha: blogu ya Juma Mtanda) 

Katika kuthibitisha kuwa wanafunzi wa kizanzibari walikuwa wakikandamizwa na bado wanakandamizwa katika masuala ya mitihani inayosimamiwa na Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania ni haya yaliyotokea mwaka huu. Ni jambo la kawaida kutokea kesi za udanganyifu katika ufanyaji, na usimamizi wa mitihani ya taifa jambo ambalo huchukuliwa kama ni la kwenda kinyume na maadili na kanuni za mitihani hivyo. Linapotokea suala hili, baraza la mitihani la Taifa huwachukulia hatua wale wote waliohusika. Jambo hili si geni linaonekana kila mwaka pale baadhi ya wanafunzi kufutiwa matokeo na walimu kuchukuliwa hatua za kinidhamu ili kurejesha heshima na nidhamu ya mitihani.

Hata hivyo inapobainika kuwa usambazaji, ulinzi na usimamizi wa mitihani nao ulikuwa na matatizo na hivyo kuwa miongoni mwa sababu za kuharibika kwa mitihani hiyo, baraza la mitihani huwachukulia hatua wale waliosababisha kuvuja kwa mitihani na mitihani hiyo kurejewa upya. Hatua kama hii imeshawahi kuchukuliwa kwa baadhi ya mikoa kama Dar es Salaam na mengineyo kulazimika kurejea mitihani kwa kuwa mikoa hiyo imegundulika kuvujiwa na mitihani hiyo. Halkadhalika hatua kama hiyo imeshawahi kuchukuliwa kwa Tanzania nzima katika mwaka wa 1998 kwa kurejewa upya mitihani ya kidato cha 4.

Jambo kama hilo tulilitegemea pia kutokea kwa upande wa Zanzibar ambapo inaonekana mitihani ya kidato cha 4 ya mwaka 2011 inaonekana kukabiliwa na suala kama hilo. Hii ipo wazi kwani udanganyifu katika mitihani miaka yote hikuwahi kuwa wa kiwango na wa hali kama ilivyojitokeza mwaka huu. Hivi ni kweli hata wanafunzi wangu 15 wa kidato cha 4 wa skuli yangu ambao nawaamini hata kupata daraja la kwanza nao hawakujua kitu katika mitihani hiyo? na hivyo kulazimika kukopia majibu kutoka kwa wenzao katika vyumba vya kufanyia mitihani? Hivi inaingia akilini wanafunzi wote wa skuli husika wasweze kujiamini kufanya mitihani yao na kufanya vitendo vya udanganyifu katika vyumba vya mitihani? Hivi basi inawezekanaje skuli zaidi ya 7 zilizofutiwa matokeo ziwe na wanafunzi watupu wasio na uwezo wa kufanya mitihani bila ya kukopi majibu kwa wenzao? Tusisingizie udanganyifu wa wanafunzi tu, bali na mengine ya msingi yaliyosababisha tuyaseme. Tuwe wawazi, ukweli ni kwamba baadhi ya mitihani imevuja kabla ya kufanywa jambo lililopelekea wanafunzi kujadili kwa pamoja majibu na hivyo kufanana kwa majibu yao sahihi na yasio sahihi katika mitihani hiyo. Kwa mujibu wa kanuni za usahihishaji za NECTA kujitokeza kwa hali hiyo inatosha kuwa ni ushahidi wa kufanya udanganyifu.

Mimi sisitetei kuwa wanafunzi hawakudanganya, la hasha! ambacho ninahoji ni kwa nini wahukumiwe wanafunzi wakati wao walipotezwa na mitihani iliyovuja wakati wakiwa katika hofu ya mitihani? Ni kawaida mwanafunzi akiona maswali aliyopewa leo na kuwambiwa ni mvujo ameyakuta kweli katika mtihani, basi ni dhahiri  hatoacha kujadili na wenzake maswali mengine atakayopewa kwa kuamini ndio atafanikiwa katika mitihani. Huu ndio msingi wa tatizo ulivyo.

Nilipokwenda mimi, Katibu Mkuu wa Vijana Taifa Mhe. Khalifa Abdala Ali kama Uongozi wa vijana wa CUF Taifa pamoja na mwakilishi wa viti Maalum na Naibu Mkurugenzi wa Fedha na Uchumi wa CUF Mhe. Bi Zakia ili kujua sababu ya tatizo hili na kuuuliza kama Serikali ya Zanzibar imeshafuatilia, akiwa ofisini kwake Mazizini Unguja, Naibu Katibu Mkuu wa Wizara ya Elimu wa Serikali ya Mapinduzi ya Zanzibar, Maalim Abdalla Mzee (Mpangile) alijibu kuwa yaliyotendeka dhidi ya wanafunzi wetu ni haki na wao wanajiandaa kuwachukulia hatua zaidi za kinidhamu wasimamizi wa mitihani na walimu wote waliohusika na kusababisha hayo yaliyotokea. Tulipomhoji kuwa haoni kama hili jambo si la kawaida bali msingi wa tatizo ni la kuvuja mitihani, alijibu hata iweje wao kama wizara hawatauunga mkono udanganyifu kwa kuwa umetendeka kweli na NECTA imewaletea ushahidi bali watakubaliana na maamuzi ya NECTA ya kuwafutia matokeo wanafunzi akiwemo mototo wake mwenyewe aliyefanya mtihani yake katika skuli ya Laureate Internaional ya Zanzibar, skuli ambayo imefutiwa matokeo yake yote na kubakishwa matokeo ya wanafunzi watatu tu. Bwana Mpangile aliendelea kutupa maelezo kwa kutwambia kuwa watu kila jambo wanakimbilia kusema ni tatizo la muungano lna jambo hili pia watadai hivyo lakini sio kweli hili ni tatizo la wanafunzi wetu na walimu wetu.

Hata hivyo mimi binafsi na ujumbe tuliokwenda kwake hatukubaliani na hoja na misimamo ya Naibu Katibu Mkuu huyo kwani habari za kuvuja kwa mitihani zilipatikana lakini tukashangazwa na kuendelea kwa mitihani hiyo. Sasa tutegemee nini? Mi mwanafunzi yupi atakaepata jawabu sahihi na swali lake akalikuta katika mtihani asiliandike vilevile alivyolipata na kuliweka kichwani? Tuwe wawazi tatizo ni uvujaji wa mitihani uliodharauliwa kwa kuwa umeathiri zaidi Zanzibar, tusiwaonee wanafunzi. Njia pekee ni maitihani kurejewa upya kama ilivyo kawaida. Hili ni tatizo la pande mbili, NECTA ilizembea na kusababisha kuvuja kwa mitihani kwa upande mmoja na wanafunzi walikwenda na majibu yao katika chumba cha kufanyia mtihani kwa upande wa pili.

Wizara ya Elimu Zanzibar haitatenda haki kwa kukubali kufutiwa matokeo yao wanafunzi wengi kama ilivyotokea. Tunaiomba wizara iwache mzaha na siasa za kuabudu muungano, wahakikishe mitihani hii inarejewa si hivyo sisi kama viongozi wa vijana tutahamasisha maandamano Zanzibar nzima mpaka kieleweke kwani tunafahamu kuwa jambo kama hili likitokea kwa Tanzania bara mitihani hufanywa upya..

via mzalendo.net (shukrani kwa SN kwa tip)

YOU ARE THE REASON, BENEDIKT

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY

Dear Benedikt Fulbright Makulilo, 

Today is Friday February 10th, 2012. It marks your 52 weeks (1 year old) journey since you were born at Los Robles Hospital in Thousand Oaks, CA. It was on Thursday at 5:42 pm Pacific Standard Time when you showed up. I exactly remember how happy both Marie and I were at that minute. We thanked God for Blessing, and you are that Blessing, Benedikt.

I would like to quote one of my favorite Bible verses which tells you were not born by accident. “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet of the nations” [Jeremiah 1:5]. Those God’s words are applicable to every child. Your birth is predetermined by God. God knew you before He formed you in Marie’s womb. You have the purpose to be here. You are a very special, unique and talented kid.

When I was growing up, I had a dream – and the dream is you, Benedikt. I had a road map, worked hard to make sure I would come to America one day. Coming to America was not neglecting my roots as African and specifically Tanzanian. The main purpose was my children could have all opportunities I could imagine and provide to them. All these could not be realized, in my perspective, if I could stay in Tanzania, my home country. But I promised myself, even if I will be living in America, I would do my best to help many people in Tanzania and other developing countries to reach their dreams. My current contribution is helping thousands of people on how to get admissions and scholarships for their studies in Developed World like in USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand etc. That’s why now I am well known scholarship blogger, founder and director of the Makulilo Scholarship Foundation.

In 2008 I arrived in America as Fulbright Scholar – teaching at Marshall University, WV. That journey didn’t end there. After one academic year of teaching, I moved to California for my Master’s Degree in Peace and Justice Studies – University of San Diego. Being in California, I met one beautiful lady, Marie Anna Makulilo (formerly Mowery).  She is your mother. Both Marie and I love so much. We are so happy to be your parents.

Benedikt, it is a great privilege of being born in America. But that should not make you more special than others. It should make you stronger, hard working and helping others. The privilege of being American comes with great responsibility. I truly believe in you. Marie and I will start a special scholarship under your name, BENEDIKT FULBRIGHT MAKULILO SCHOLARSHIP to help orphans and albino children in Tanzania to go to school. When you grow up, you will be in charge of the program, and many children will benefit from your generosity. 

Every child is talented. You are talented, Benedikt. God does not create a damn kid. It takes time, patience and a lot of trials to discover that talent. Some people even become old and do not discover their talents. Marie and I will try our best to let you discover your talents at your early age and enjoy what God has given you. We will give every opportunity available to make sure your talent is discovered, seen and appreciated. We don’t care whether you will engage in soccer, swimming, music, American football, basketball, running, arts etc as long you are happy with what you are doing and enjoy it, you have our full support.

One last thing to remember – the meaning you GREAT name. Your name BENEDIKT FULBRIGHT MAKULILO has a special meaning. Your first name Benedikt is after Pope Benedikt XVI (Formerly Joseph Ratzinger). In spelling Benedikt there is “K” instead of “C” as many people are used to English spelling of that name. Since Pope Benedikt is from Germany and in German language the name Benedikt is having “K” so Marie and I did not want to change that. In addition to that, in Kiswahili, there is no usage of “C” to mean “K” that’s why you’re Benedikt with letter “K”.  And for your middle name Fulbright, my dream to come to America was fulfilled by Fulbright Scholarship. The scholarship was named after William James Fulbright. So we chose Fulbright in honor of the dream and more importantly your life will be Full and Bright. Your surname is Makulilo. Makulilo is unsung hero. He is you Grandpa. You will meet him one day and I know you will admire his life and principles. 

Benedikt, you are the reason I came to America. I came here for you. You are The Dream. May God bless you.

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY BENEDIKT

I love you more than you can imagine.

It’s your loving Baba, 

Ernest Boniface Makulilo (MAKULILO, Jr.) 

Eastman Kodak Co. said Thursday that it will stop making digital cameras, pocket video cameras and digital picture frames, marking the end of an era for the company that brought photography to the masses more than a century ago.

Founded by George Eastman in 1880, Kodak was known all over the world for its Brownie and Instamatic cameras and its yellow-and-red film boxes. But the company was battered by Japanese competition in the 1980s, and was then unable to keep pace with the shift from film to digital technology.

The Rochester, N.Y. based company, which filed for bankruptcy protection last month, said it will phase out the product lines in the first half of this year and instead look for other companies to license its brand for those products. Once the products are phased out, Kodak said its consumer business will focus on photo printing and desktop inkjet printers.

Kodak said it's working with its retailers to ensure an orderly transition. The company will continue to honor product warranties and provide technical support for the discontinued products.

The moves are expected to result in annual savings of more than $100 million The company didn't say how many jobs would be eliminated as a result of the decision, but did say that it expects to take a charge of $30 million related to separation costs.

via AP

Baadaya ya kuwakataza waumini wake kujamiiana siku za kazi, Mchungaji wa Kanisa la Ufufuo Mtaa wa Ituha kata ya Ilomba, mkoani Mbeya; uongozi wa Serikali ya Mtaa huo umesimamisha huduma hiyo kutokana na kuhatarisha mahusiano ya ndoa.

Afisa mtendaji wa mtaa huo Pius Moses amemtaja mchungaji huyo kuwa ni John Leonard na kusema kupitia mafundisho yake amekuwa akiwakataza waumini wanandoa kukutana kimwili na pia kutohudhuria misiba akisema dhehebu hilo haliamini kifo.

Afisa huyo amesema pia mchungaji Leonard anatuhumiwa kuwakataza waumini wake kusalimia na watu wengine kwa kupeana mikono kutokana na kile kinachoaminiwa na kanisa hilo kuwa muumini wa dhehebu jingine ni mfu.

Mmoja wa waaumini wa dini hiyo aliyejitambulisha kwa jina la Mama Pendo amekiri mchungaji wake kuwashinikiza wanandoa kutokutana kimwili siku za katikati ya wiki isipokuwa siku ya jumapili pekee kwakuwa ndiyo siku ambayo Mungu alipumzika.

Jitihada za kuzungumza na mchungaji Leonard zimegonga mwamba kufuatia kuhamia kusikojulikana tangu Februari mosi kabla ya siku aliyopangiwa na serikali ya mtaa kuhama.

Taarifa imeandikwa na Joachim Nyambo, via blogu ya RumAfrica

Kamati ya muda ya kushughulikia madai ya madaktari nchini inapenda kuwajulisha madaktari wote pamoja na kada nyingine zote za afya nchini juu ya kile ambacho kimejiri katika siku ya leo ya tarehe 09.02.2012 ikiwa ni matokeo ya kikao wanataaluma wa kada za afya na Waziri Mkuu Mhe. Mizengo Pinda na baadaye kufuatiwa na kikao kati ya madaktari na kada nyingine za afya.

Ifahamike kuwa kama Kamati tulipata mwaliko wa kushiriki katika Mkutano huo ambapo ilitarajiwa kuwa Mhe. Waziri mkuu atafika kwa nia ya kutoa mrejesho wa madai ya madaktari yaliyowasilishwa mezani kwake mnamo tarehe 23.01.2012. Madai yetu yalikuwa manane na Mhe. Wazizri mkuu aliweza kutoa maelezo ya dai moja baada ya lingine.

Miongoni mwa madai ambayo mpaka sasa yamepatiwa majibu ya kuridhisha ni pamoja na;

1. Kuwawajibisha watendaji wakuu wa Wizara ya Afya na Ustawi wa Jamii, wakiwemo Katibu Mkuu Mama Blandina Nyoni , na Mganga Mkuu wa Serikali Dkt. Deo Mtasiwa. Aidha Me.h waziri mkuu alisema kuwa ameshalifikisha kwa Mhe. Rais wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania suala zima la kuwawajibisha watendaji wa wakuu wa kisiasa wa Wizara ya Afya na Ustawi wa Jamii ambao ni  Waziri Mhe. Hadji Mponda na  Naibu Waziri  Mhe. Lucy Nkya.
2. Kama sehemu ya maridhiano, Mhe. Waziri Mkuu pia aliahidi mbele ya mkutano kuwa hakutawepo na unyanyasaji au vitisho vya aina yoyote ile kwa wale wote walioshiriki katika kushinikiza Serikali kutatua kero hizo. Aidha kama sehemu ya maridhiano, Mhe. waziri Mkuu pia alifuta zuio la madaktari kutokufanya mikutano. Lakini pia, Mhe. waziri Mkuu alisema kuwa Serikali haina kusudio la kumfukuza  kazi mtumishi yeyote wa afya yule kazi aliyeshiriki katika mchakato huu wa kuishikiniza Serikali kutafuta ufumbuzi madai ya madaktari nchini.
3. Aidha, Mhe. waziri Mkuu amesema “Interns” wote waliokuwa wamehamishwa kutoka Hospitali ya Taifa ya Muhimbili wamesharudishwa bila masharti katika hospitali hiyo ili kuendelea na program kama kawaida. Hili pia linaambatana na kulipwa na kupewa stahiki zao zote.
4. Pia suala la madaktari na familia zao kuwa na Kadi ya Bima ya Afya ya kijani (Green Card) limekubaliwa na kwa sasa tusubiri utekelezaji.
5. Pia ilikubaliwa kuwa madaktari watapata fursa ya kukopeshwa magari kama watumishi wengine wa umma.

Mbali na madai hayo, pia Mhe. Waziri Mkuu alitoa ufafanuzi juu ya madai yanayuhusu maslahi ya watumishi wa afya ikiwa ni pamoja na Mishahara na Posho na stahiki mbalimbali. Lakini hata, Mhe. waziri Mkuu hakutoa majibu ya moja kwa moja ya kiwango gani kitakachoweza kulipwa na Serikali kama mishahara, posho na stahiki mbalimbali kwa minajili kwamba bado zinafanyiwa kazi na kamati ya wataalamu aliyoiunda ili waweze kumshauri. Aidha, Mhe. waziri Mkuu alisema kuwa kwa wakati huu inaweza kupandisha “on call allowances” za kada mbalimbali za afya kutoka shilingi 3,000 – 10,000/= na kufikia kati ya shilingi 5,000 hadi 25,000. Madaktari bado wanaona ongezeko hili halilingani na ukubwa wa kazi ifanywayo pindi mtumishi wa afya anapokuwa “on call” na hivyo basi kuendelea kupendekeza kuwa “on call” allowance iwe ni 10% ya mshahara  wa mtumishi husika.

Pia Mhe, Waziri Mkuu hakuweza kueleza kinagaubaga mkakati kazi wa uboreshaji wa huduma za afya wapatayo wananchi wa Tanzania.

Baada ya tamko hilo la Serikali kumalizika, Mhe. Waziri Mkuu na ujumbe wake waliondoka, na Mkutano huo ukaendelea kwa Kamati kufanya Mkutano na madaktari wote, lengo ikiwa kujadili tamko hilo na kutoa maazimio.

Baada ya majadiliano ya muda mrefu, madaktari walikubaliana kwamba; kwa kuwa Serikali imeanza kuonyesha nia ya kutatua tatizo hili kwa kutekeleza baadhi ya maazimio yetu, wajumbe kwa niaba ya madaktari wote nchi nzima tulikubaliana na kuazimia yafuatayo;

1. Kurudi kazini mara moja kuanzia kesho tarehe 10.02.2012 bila masharti yeyote.
2. Kamati ya jumuiya ya madaktari kama sehemu ya MAT kuendelea kukaa mezani ya majadiliano na Serikali ili kuanza kupitia madai hasa yale yanayohusu maslahi.
3. Kukutana tena tarehe 03.03.2012 ili kupata mrejesho wa kiwango cha utekelezaji wa madai hayo kwa mujibu wa vikao vya majadiliano na makubaliano na hatimae kuchukua hatua zaidi.
4. Kujadili utekelezaji juu ya Kuwawajibisha Waziri na Naibu Waziri wa Afya na Ustawi na Jamii.
5. Mwisho kabisa Madaktari wote kwa ujumla wake walilaani na kukemea kitendo cha Jeshi la Polisi kuwakamata na kuwahoji wanaharakati wa haki za kibinaadamu na mashirika ya kijamii wakiwemo Dkt. Hellen Kijo-Bisimba na Mama Ananilea Nkya na wanaharakati wengine wote waliokumbwa na kamata kamata hiyo na hivyo basi tunalitaka jeshi hilo kuwaachilia huru mara moja bila masharti yoyoye.

Pamoja Tunaweza

Imetolewa na Kamati ya muda ya kushughulikia madai ya madaktari Tanzania

Dkt. Ulimboka Stephen

Mwenyekiti.

Ni audio iliyorekodiwa toka kipindi cha Dira ya Dunia cha BBC Swahili kuhusu Mgomo wa Madaktari na Mkutano wao na Waziri Mkuu, CPL Muhimbili, Kauli za viongozi mbalimbali wa Chama Cha Madaktari Tanzania (MAT) na Mwenyekiti wa Kamati ya Madai ya Madaktari, kisha tathmini ya bwana Jenerali Ulimwengu.

Ili kusoma TAMKO RASMI la Kamati ya Madaktari bofya hapa 

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