The fate of MwanaHalisi newspaper at a cross roads

It is not yet clear whether or not the Dar es Salaam based Hali Halisi Publishers would appeal in connection with the ban almost three months ago of its popular weekly investigative tabloid MwanaHalisi newspaper. In view of this situation, readers of the newspaper will continue to wait for unknown time frame unless the government lifts a ban a situation described by critics as the denial of their rights to be informed. The company’s management is still in dilemma whether or not to appeal although the circumstances show they were not accused of any malicious allegations of seditious before a court of law for any damages caused by their publication. MwanaHalisi newspaper Chief Editor Saed Kubenea early this week said that as long as they hadn’t been accused of any malpractice he is unable to act in regard to preparing an appeal. Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda, reacting to the public criticism over government’s action to ban for the newspaper, announced that the publishers could appeal if they were not satisfied by the decision. He made his concern during the Parliamentary debate sessions in Dodoma recently. Meanwhile, a Dar es Salaam-based private lawyer Charles Mkude said the Hali Halisi Company can open a claim file for a judicial review or a constitutional petition for the matter of appeal as this is accepted by the court for appeal. Mkude, chairman of an association which stands to defend the rights of the people and professionalism in the country known as Tanzania International Fellowship Programme Association (TIFPA), noted that the appeal over the issue was possible though the process could be long and time wasteful. He was contacted for comments by this paper with a view over various judicial procedures that if followed would enable the Hali Halisi company to process an appeal over the matter and get a final solution. About a month ago, human rights activists threatened to launch countrywide demonstration to blacklist officials who banned the MwanaHalisi newspaper, if the ban was not revised within seven days it had issued and which has already elapsed.  

The editor of MwanaHalisi newspaper Mr. Saed Kubenea holding his two Swahili published tabloid newspapers with the latest issue that carried the headline "Aliyemteka Ulimboka Huyu hapa" meaning that, a person who abducted Ulimboka is here. The issue sparked a hot debade in parliament after its publication whose contents had angered the government which later decided to suspend the newpaper on 30th July 2012 untill furrher notice. The details in the story vividly showed how the government is directly involved in the abduction of the Chairman of Medical Association of Tanzania Dr. Steven Ulimboka.

  

The activists who gathered at MISA-Tan under the umbrella of the Tanzania Human Right Defenders Coalition (THRDC) issued the warning amid reports that the government had planned to make sure the newspaper is not published again. The chairman of THRDC steering committee Marcossy Albanie faulted the Premier’s justification of the government action saying that if the owners of MwanaHalisi newspaper were not satisfied by the government’s move, they have a right to appeal.  Another Dar es Salaam lawyer who spoke on condition of anonymity said the government was not honest as it knows well it was impossible to appeal on the fact that, the newspaper Act that the Minister used to ban the newspaper has empowered him to do so. Otherwise according to him, the Act should be removed to pave the way for contravention for any further appeal in court. “Unless the law is reviewed  it’s impossible to take the matter to court, moreover this is like a detention Act which should only be left for the minister to decide again either to revert the decision,” he said adding that, to make an appeal under this circumstances would be impossible unless the law governing newspaper Act of 1976 is reviewed. Cornered by this reporter, the Minister for Information, Youths culture and sports, Dr Fenella Ephraim Mukangara declined to say anything on MwanaHalisi newspaper. “As for this issue, I am sorry, call me again as I am in a meeting,” she said and switched off her mobile phone. Efforts to reach her have become impossible as her mobile phone was unreachable throughout the day. The government banned MwanaHalisi newspaper on July 30^h this year, accusing it for publishing seditious materials. The decision came after it had acted in line with the clause 25 (1) of the newspaper Act of 1976 that empowers the Minister for Information to suspend any publication. This is the second time the government bans the newspaper. In mid 2007 the Minister for Information by then Ramadhan Omar Mapuri ordered the suspension of the same newspaper which lasted for three months.

Zitto’s committee asks CHC to evaluate government’s shares

THE Parliament’s Public Organization Account’s Committee (POAC) has instructed the Consolidated Holdings Corporation (CHC) board of directors to evaluate shares of the privatized companies in which the government owns below 30 percent stake in order to know their financial status from the economic point of view. This is among the four basic recommendations the POAC issued to the CHC after their meeting to deliberate the development of privatized companies and their financial reports which was held at Bunge offices on Thursday this week in Dar es Salaam. Speaking after going through the CHC quarterly financial report, the POAC Chairman who is also an MP for Kigoma North constituency (Chadema), Zitto Kabwe, told the CHC board directors to ensure that, they prepare a comprehensive audit report for both privatized and non-privatized companies in order to enable them know what to do with it. Zitto is on the view of the fact that, once the financial report of all companies is well prepared, the government would be in a position to decide either to announce their shares in Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange for public offer.

Parliament’s Public Organization Account’s Committee (POAC)Chairman who is also an MP for Kigoma North constituency (Chadema), Zitto Kabwe stressing a point during a Parliamentary debate sessions in Dodoma.

Elaborating, Mr Kabwe said, the government should retain most of the shares. “You should list at least 25 per cent of the companies’ shares at the Dar es Salaam Stock exchange for public offer, but make sure that the government remains the majority shareholder”. According to him, statistics shows that, out of over 400 companies the government has privatized since 1995, it owns over 50 percent share in only 62 companies including the most recently established Airtel mobile company which is incorporated by the Tanzania Telecommunications Company Ltd. Other instructions are that the CHC should stop its plans of putting on sale an historical building of Georges Grill which is located at the heart of the Dar es Salaam city centre, and instead it should do more renovations on it as it still has some importance to the government. In addition to that, the POAC has also ordered the CHC to abide by the instructions which prohibit their members to be associated with any activities within the Ministry of Finance or be part of their membership, for reasons that might cause direct interference with their affairs which are closely related. On the other hand, the CHC’s Chairperson Dr. Marcellina Chijoriga confirmed in an exclusive interview that, her Board will abide by all instructions given and take appropriate cautious approach when implementing the committee’s directives. The CHC came into being in 2007 to replace the then Public Sector Reform Commission (PSRC) which was established in mid 1996 with a view to conduct the privatization process on government companies as well as public parastatal organizations, a move that has helped increase the national economy.

Dar Commuter train takes off on Monday

THE Government has announced the soft opening of the much awaited first ever Dar es Salaam commuter train transport schedules to take off on Monday next week, while giving precautions to residents living closer to the railway line to vacate for their security before the law takes its course. The Deputy Minister for Transport Dr. Charles Tizeba told a press conference yesterday in Dar es Salaam that the soft opening will be done in two occasions, one at the main running station of Ubungo-Maziwa for Tanzania Railways Ltd (TRL) and at Mwakanga station for Tanzania and Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) as a pilot project respectively. At both stations he said, the Minister for Transport Dr. Harrison Mwakyembe who is expected to grace the occasion, will flag off two locomotive engines at different times at around 06.00 am and 0630 am respectively. The soft opening takes place in fulfillment of the government’s promise as earlier announced by the Ministry of Transport in its move to decongest Dar es Salaam city a situation which occurs during pick hours in the morning and in the evening. In view of this, the Deputy minister has warned people living closer to the railway track to make sure that are vacating as soon as possible so that they pave way for the smooth operations instead of waiting for the government to use excessive force to remove them in these areas which according to surveys has been invaded by many petty traders.  He clarified that, for the safety of the people they must dwell their business activities far away from the 15 meters off the railway for security reasons. However, he added that, the ministry is therefore requesting those who have breached the law to abide by what the ministry has laid down as in accordance with the law and regulations set. Dr. Tizeba elaborated the procedures on how the commuters would be boarding the train and noted that, they will be lined up in single file at every station while entering in systematically by following first come first served system. He said that, every passenger will be required to board a train with a ticket which will be sold from 2000 selling centers, he elaborated that, the tickets will be sold like vouchers indicating different fare quotations which has been approved by Surface and Marine Transport Authority (SUMATRA). He said a ticket will be used for a single journey regardless of where a passenger disembark, these will be examined just like the normal daladala ticket used by bus commuters. However, he noted that, at the moment they will not be using a multiple ticket.

A train at Dar es Salaam railways station whereby city commuter train is expected to start its operatins on Monday next week.

Elaborating on the fare ticket to be issued in these journeys, he said that, the government through SUMATRA has proposed the fare for children and adults only. For children he said this group will include primary and secondary school students who will pay Sh. 100 through for a single trip. While for adults, this will differ for Tazara railways will pay Sh. 500/- while for TRL they will pay Sh.400/- for single trip. These fare quotations will not determine where a passenger disembarks, but it will combine a single journey through. Dr. Tizeba also clarified the time of departure for both trains and noted that, they will start to operate at 05.00 am in the morning up to 11.00 just before afternoon. There will be a short break of about four hours and resume at 15.00 pm in the evening until 20.00 at night. According to Tizeba, the time chosen for operation is exactly at the picking hours whereby the majority of city dwellers rush to their various working places, hence because of the existing problem of transport at this time, the commuter train would help shuttle them. The introduction of railway commuter services in Dar es Salaam would have the double advantage of providing Dar es Salaam residents with an additional transport system and earning struggling Tanzania Railways Limited much-needed cash.  A train commuter service could also persuade many Dar es Salaam residents to leave their cars at home and take public transport instead. Meanwhile, a pilot project for Dar es Salaam rapid transport (DART) is expected to start by end of this year and will start with seven newly introduced State-of-the-art busses designed to carry between 60 to 140 passengers whose full swing operation will start in 2014. DART is a newly introduced mode of rapid city transport in the country which was established with a view to ease transport problems currently basseting residents of the city of Dar es Salaam. Speaking in Dar es Salaam early this week, the Director of transport and development of DART Asteria Mlambo noted that, the vision is to have a cost effecti9ve public transport operation which gives profits to operators. The project is anticipated to reduce to great extent congestion and saveSh.4 billion which according to research carried in 2010 by Confederation of Tanzania Industries (CTI) has established that the increased traffic jam causes loses amounting to 20 percent to city workers and business people to delay to their respective business areas.

The government bans public religious crusades

THE Government yesterday banned all public religious crusades in the country for 30 days, the Minister for Home Affairs Dr. Emmanuel Nchimbi made an announcement when he confirmed the official apprehension of the Zanzibar based Islamic religious revival group leader Sheik Farid Ahamed known as ‘Uamusho’ who was reported to have disappeared in Zanzibar four days ago. Dr. Nchimbi told a press conference yesterday in Dar es Salaam that, the government has decided to ban religious crusades at this time around when it currently investigating the dubious religious skirmishes which have of recently emerged tarnishing the good image Tanzania had in the eyes of foreigners. The clashes resulted into setting fire to some churches in Dar es Salaam and in Zanzibar respectively. Earlier, Minister Nchimbi describing the circumstances which led to the apprehension of Sheikh Farid, and noted that, the police had mounted a secret man hurt since the time when he was announced to have disappeared in the Isles. However, he noted that, the police managed to spot him in his private hideout place at Old town in Zanzibar, and that the police is holding him for interrogation to establish the reasons of his disappearance which ultimately caused religious clashes in the Isles. Dr. Nchimbi who was briefing the state of the country’s emergency, confirmed the apprehension of the Islamic leader who was proclaimed to have got lost in a mysterious circumstances an aspect that caused tension among the Muslims believers in Zanzibar who speculated that, the government was behind his abduction.  He also noted that, the police will give the report after its investigations and people will be informed to be aware of the facts that led to his disappearance and why he had disappeared and for what reasons. Dr. Nchimbi was talking in the wake of what had happened in Dar es Salaam on Friday whereby the police force in the region successfully managed to suppress Muslim fundamentalists who staged an illegal demonstration in the city of Dar es Salaam protesting against the detention of Muslim cleric Sheikh Issa Ponda who is currently in remand prison pending a case of conspiracy charged against him by Kisutu’s Resident Magistrate court in Dar es Salaam on Thursday.

Tanzania's Home Affairs Minister Dr. Emmanuel Nchimbi stressing a point to journalists (not seen in the picture) during a press conference in Dar es Salaam.

Following the religious clashes which have of recently emerged in Dar es Salaam for the last four days, Dr. Nchimbi said that, the government has reiterated its need to continue fighting against the crusaders at any cost, and added that there would not be further tolerance of any religious groups who want to take the law in their hands without let it take its own course. “The government will never tolerate the habit of some few individuals with a common religious belief with intent to conspire a threat to other people, or use the opportunity to disrupt peace and harmony which have been dominating in the country since independence time 50 years down the lane” he said adding that, its our obligation to defend this golden bless, a foundation of which was laid down by past leaders. In view of this however, he has cautioned such religious groups to desist their habits immediately otherwise they would be continuing to confront the law enforcers at any cost and even if it could mean to meet tragic deaths rather than leaving the matter to spread nationwide and become inevitable. He had also assured that, the government will deal with the suspects who got into the hands of police during the fracas and promised that further investigations will be done in order to find out if there were any other some outside organizations which are behind the issue or not.  Either he has thanked the media for the positive news reporting over the matter saying that, the role being played by some is good and urged them to keep it up, but has on the other way round blamed few media organs who puts on its front pages a splashing headlines that put many readers into confusion and noted that these signifies incitement of the matter which have no clarification. Following the ban by the government on public gathering while hearing of the religious prayers, Dr. Nchimbi has also cautioned people to be careful and urged Tanzanians not to engage themselves in any related religious discussions in public areas as these are likely to be a cause of misunderstandings among themselves. Giving an example of what has happened in other African countries such as Nigeria and or elsewhere, he said that Tanzanians will be making a fool of themselves if at this time around will allow such skirmishes to occur and see their brothers and sisters killing themselves without any help. Stressing a point as an example of what also happened in Europe over 800 years ago, there were some religious clashes which emerged and that had resulted into the indiscriminate killings of about 4 million people. But when Europeans saw the futility over the matter among themselves, resolved to stop the habit and are now doing their things without associating religious conflicts. He said and added. Giving an example in Sudan country which of recent has been faced with the same problem, about 2 million people have been killed without reasons just because of the religious clashes which have brought a great enmity among the people in their ethnic groups. “Now for Tanzanians, do we have a reason to wait until numerous deaths occur first so that we get time to solve the problem”? He queried in disgust while insisting that, the government would continue its fight up to the end to save the innocent lives of its citizens. Quoting some clauses in National Constitutions that talks about the freedom of beliefs for every citizens in the country, Dr. Nchimbi narrated that, “everyone in the country has the right to know their basic rights, and added that, one has no right to interfere with another person’s belief. Quoting various sections such as No. 19 clause (1), 13 clause (1) and 16 clause (1) respectively have given freedom of every individual in the country to believe spiritually in whatever is the right according to their belief, and that no one has the right to interfere and cause problems on one’s belief.

Muslims surrendered to police in Dar

The situation was very tense at Kariakoo central business district at the heart of Dar es Salaam city as it is unsual to see the presence of TPDF soldiers in religious skimishes, and actually their presence caused a great tension to the people ariound as this photo above depict.

THE Dar es Salaam police force yesterday managed to suppress an illegal demonstration planned by Islamic followers which was intended to take place just immediately after the afternoon prayers in the city of Dar es Salaam. The aim of the demonstration was to pressurize the government for the release of the Secretary General of the council of Muslim’s organizations Sheikh Ponda Issa Ponda together with other 49 Muslims who were arraigned on Thursday this week pending a case in court at Kisutu Magistrate Court in Dar es Salaam. Sheikh Ponda, appeared in court after he was arrested on Tuesday on allegations of having led his followers to invade private property belonging to Agritanza Company Limited, situated at Chang’ombe Marcus in Dar es Salaam. Ponda and his followers alleged that the Muslim Council of Tanzania, Bakwata, sold the property to the company illegally. Before the court presided over by resident magistrate Stuwart Sanga, the accused were charged with different five counts including committing conspiracy, trespass, stealing property worth Sh. 59million and criminal possession of property owned by Agritanza Ltd at Chang’ombe in Temeke municipality. Among the accused was Zaidah Yusuph, an old woman aged 100 years. All the accused pleaded not guilty to the charges but before the Magistrate could set the bail conditions, the principal state attorney informed the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions under Section 148 (4), the accused conspired to commit an offence contrary to section 386 of the Criminal Procedure Act (CPA). He had placed a certificate of urgency before the court to bar bail for the first accused (Ponda). During the fracas with the rowdy Muslims who defied the police orders that required them to stop the rampage, the anti-riot police used tear gas in a bid to disperse them at Kariakoo main central business district whereby their confrontation with the police resulted into several people who were left injured and scores of others most of whom youths were taken to police central station for interrogation. A spot check at the scene can reveal that, the Kariakoo area turned like a warzone as the Municipal militia men joined forces with the riot police in help to get rid of the culprits and were taken into a police car then drove off to central police station. The intention of Muslims to demonstrate was not only planned to take place at Kariakoo area alone, but also in some other parts of the city as noticed by this reporter. Things were not normal at along Kawawa main road that joins the three biggest suburbs of Kinondoni, Magomeni, Kigogo, and Msimbazi centre suburbs on the outskirts of the city. Muslim followers at Kinondoni and Magomeni who also experienced the same mishaps as police managed to put down plans by rowdy Muslims from Mtambani mosque at Kinondoni and that one at Magomeni when confronted by riot-police officers and were dispersed after the police used tear gas to curb a mob justice in protest. At Kariakoo area later in the evening at around 16.00 hours and found the area was calm and cool, only few businessmen commonly known as the ‘Machinga’ could be seen around with their merchandise, but the majority shops remained closed up to the time this reporter departed from the place. Witnesses told this writer in an exclusive interview that, most shoppers reacted quickly in response to early warnings when the rowdy Muslims started to sing the Islamic slogan ‘Taqbir’ and upon hearing that, they all closed their shops for fear of what could be seen to be an impending danger or damage for any loss which could have overcome them.

A convoy of TPDF soldiers in a military truck patrolling the main areas to ensure peace at Kariakoo business district in Dar es Salaam yesterday.

Reliable sources from the scene said that, they saw a convoy of soldiers belonging to Tanzania people’s Defense Forces (TPDF) on move as though patrolling the area, however their presence reflected a move of seriousness of the matter, a factor that caused high tension as it’s unusual to see TPDF soldiers in rowdy movements as such. Jacob Urio, a shoe shiner at Kariakoo area confirmed that, the presence of TPDF soldiers caused fear and tension to many people around as almost every one of them was armed with a machine gun, but could not trace where they had vanished. However, rumours around speculated that, they were taken from Kawe based military camp for help and placed somewhere on standby incase the police could fail to suppress the movements of the rowdy Muslims fundamentalists, then they could take cover to minimize the chaos probably by using live bullets with the guns they had carried. The yesterday’s situation had brought tension to most Dar es Salaam residents from various corners in the city of Dar es Salaam as the situation was very tense and everybody especially those who were not aware of the matter came up in abrupt uneasy mood when they saw a police helicopter hovering the skies of the main Das res Salaam city centre. However, it was immediately made clear by one of the police officers who spoke on condition of anonymity that, the presence of the police helicopter was syndicated to ensure easy safety, a means that could make an easy apprehension of the suspected culprits on movements. However, up to the time we go to press, efforts to reach the Special Police Zone Commander for Dar es Salaam region, SCP, Sulleman Kova for comments about the franca proved futile. But her secretary who was contacted said that since her boss left the office at 0830 in the morning was not yet back in the office, probably had much to content with in the field.

Money lenders to submit their customers’ credit information to BOT databank system

AS from now onwards all financial institutions operating in the country including credit bureaus will now have their customers’ credit  information database kept into a single databank system which will be monitored by the Bank of Tanzania (BOT).  This is after the BOT which is the main financial regulator in the country launched a Credit Reference System (CRS) in an historic colorful ceremony which was attended by representatives of almost all financial institutions and credit bureau recently in Dar es Salaam.  The CRS system is designed to collect and provide information on the payment record of all clients of the lending banks and other financial institutions as well as those of Savings and Credit schemes in the United Republic of Tanzania and other entities engaged regularly in the extension of credit. The BOT’s Director of Banking Supervision, Agapiti Kobelo said during the launching that, “the establishment of CRS is a continuation of government’s efforts to reform the financial sector with the enactment of the banking and financial institution’s Act which started way back in 1991”.  According to one aspect within the Act, the credit reference system shall consist of a databank administered by the BOT and private credit bureau operating under the conditions prescribed by the Central Bank in the country.  The Act has further opened doors for private banks in the country to enter into the market and fair in trade competition. The reforms were initiated in order to create an effective and efficient financial system. However, he noted that, this is coupled with the restructuring and privatization of some state owned banks which has since started in credit expansion in the national economy.  Describing how the CSR will work, he said that basically there will be two different ways on how to coordinate the system, this is either by mandatory sharing of information or voluntary sharing of information. Under the mandatory scheme, the Central Bank will collect all relevant information from licensed banks and financial institutions and makes it available to private licensed credit bureaus. This is done in countries where awareness of the benefits of credit bureaus is not very high, where lenders may be reluctant to share information, a model which Tanzania has adopted.

Bank of Tanzania twin towers in Dar es Salaam city.

In other countries where consumer credit is very developed and knowledge is well spread, a credit report is a good tool to get more customers at lower price, thus the sharing of information is generally voluntary and a lender gives the information on reciprocity basis. He also noted that, apart from borrowers’ information, the CSR will also source data from other entities such as utility providers, phone companies, debt collection agencies, public institutions such as Business Registration and Licensing Authority (BRELA) and the courts. Detailing how this would be transacted, he said the bureaus will prepare credit reports that will then be sold on request to users. A typical user will be a lender who will be approached by a potential borrower for a loan and before the loan is granted, the lender will request for a credit report on the applicant from a private credit bureau to assist in analyzing and evaluating the loan request. It is worth noting that credit information might be of useful interest to other users, including bank supervisors, other units with the bank, government agencies, employers, insurers and real estate agents. Borrowers will be allowed to have free access to their credit reports once per year upon request and shall have a right to challenge information contained in a report. “The benefits of giving borrowers access is to build trust and ensure transparency and assessment of the accuracy of the information maintained in the system”, he said. Describing the disadvantages of the absence of the CRS before its introduction, the Deputy Governor of the BOT, Juma Reli noted that the system in Tanzania has been one of the major factors limiting access to credit. Small firms and individuals borrow at high rates because of the high risks involved as lenders do not have information on their credit behaviors. However, he noted that, in view of this there is usually disparity of knowledge (information asymmetry) between the lender and the borrowers about the past payment behavior and the current level of debt a result of which makes banks fail to make informed decisions on their lending operations. Experience has shown that, problems related to data accuracy are the subjects of numerous complaints and litigation around the world and, as a result, have had significant impact on the development of credit reference systems. In view of the need to have a State-of-the-Art credit reference system in Tanzania, the BOT has engaged M/s Credit info International to assist in setting up a credit reference databank, the vendor started work in October 2011. Pilot testing of the system began in June 2012 and so far about 26 banks have already joined the testing environment out of which 9 banks have successfully uploaded data into the system.

Educational stakeholders’ comments on OMR system outlined

SOME educational stakeholders have faulted the introduction of multiple answer questions under Optical Mark Reader (OMR) system format for standard VII pupils in the country, on grounds that such system will not be a proper test of pupils’ intelligence. Investigation by The Guardian can establish. Speaking in different interviews early this week in Dar es Salaam, stakeholders have said that, out of all subjects mathematics is likely to pose doubt to ascertain pupils’ knowledge and their ability whether they are good or not for the subject. Commenting on the subject, they have noted that, it involves formula which a pupil has to apply in order to get answers and therefore, it is a good assessment to know pupils’ ability and the capacity of understanding of the subject. Contrary to the new system, the OMR Computer system has not been programmed to correct a pupil’s working formula, the Dean of the School of Education of the University of Dar es Salaam, Dr. Hillary Dachi has said According to him, the Computer system has been worked out only to detect the shaded answers in appropriate boxes on OMR answer sheet provided on which pupils would be indicating as their chosen answers. Detailing on the disadvantages of the whole system, Dr. Dachi is on the view of the fact that, “it might lead into confusion in the sense that it doesn’t measure working skills and furthermore there is a likelihood of getting unqualified students as most of them would be relying on guessing their answers” .“The danger part of it doesn’t assess students’ ability academically, a result of which a nation might get students who do not know how to read and write”.

The Executive Director of Hakielimu, Elizabeth Missokia.

He said. Dr. Dachi as a professional educational expert says that, “good students are assessed by the way they explain themselves on a particular topic educational wise in order to know their critical thinking”. Commenting for the same system, the Executive Director of Hakielimu an educational organization in the country Elizabeth Missokia congratulated the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training for introducing such system in the country as it is not a new thing in the world. She said by using OMR system for marking examination would rid off favoritism which has been complained to have been used by examiners. She has however, noted that the introduction of this new system is not an issue but what matters is how pupils have been prepared with the basic educational syllabus. “I want to be very positive as the system would lessen all possible queries which have been in the past about students’ failure after doing their national examination”. She said. Elizabeth is on the view of the fact that, challenges like a criticism and other forms of favoritism will no longer be their, and she is optimistic that there will be a fair marking of the examination papers by this system. However, she has urged Tanzanian especially students’ parents not top worry about as student preparation is something of the great importance, and in view of this teachers have to prepare their students from the beginning and their failure should nit be a reason that the machine has a problem. On Wednesday and Thursday this week a total of 894,881 candidates sat for their Standard VII National Examination. The exam featured multiple answer questions from which candidates shaded on the OMR answer sheets the correct inputs using HB pencil in a bid to curb cheating and other malpractices. This is for the first time in the history of the country whereby Standard VII National Examinations will be marked by a new technology system known as Optical Mark Reader (OMR).The five subjects that will be marked using the new technology system are English, Mathematics, Maarifa ya Jamii, Kiswahili and Science. The Deputy Minister for Education and Vocational Training Philipo Mulugo was recently quoted as saying that, “the new questions type will help students increase their confidence since they will be able to compare their solved results and those provided in the papers”. Giving an example of the application of the system in East Africa region, Minister Mulugo noted that OMR system was also applicable in Kenya and Uganda where it had proved to be very efficient. He is optimistic that the adoption of this system in Tanzania is long overdue. The use of the new technology comes at a time when there have been alarming cases of examination cheating in primary schools.Last year, Necta cancelled examination results for over 9,000 pupils due to cheating and ordered them to re-sit the papers in September this year.