Arusha — At primary school level in Tanzania, the medium of instruction from standard one to standard seven is largely Kiswahili, while English is just one of main subjects. At secondary school level, however, English is largely the medium of instruction in and outside the classroom and is the required language of communication.

The majority of Tanzanian children especially those who hail from rural areas who join secondary school find this change very difficult to adjust to and cope with as they climb up the educational ladder.

The concern felt by Outreach Language and Education Centre over the difficulties experienced by majority of students joining secondary school in Arumeru district of Arusha region and the poor attainment of students in Mathematics and English at both primary and secondary school level was the driving force behind the establishment of Outreach Language and Education Centre.

The Centre which is based at Amani Students' Centre in King'ori township of Arumeru District in Arusha Region provides English Course and Mathematics to students preparing to join form one. It also provides extensive tuition in Mathematics, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Geography, Basic book- keeping and accounts, Commerce, and Civics to Secondary school students after school.

According to Gerald Ouma, the Coordinator, Outreach Language and Education Centre the aim of the Centre is to improve students' communication and Mathematics skills so as to prepare them for secondary school education.

"Majority of students both in primary and secondary school in Arumeru district score very low grades in Mathematics and English. It is because of this basic fact that most students in Arumeru district fail to secure places in secondary school and pursue their education to greater heights. Our aim is to address this imbalance, says Ouma, coordinator, Outreach Language and Education Centre.

Ouma says his centre plans to conduct Mathematics contests at both primary and secondary school level in Arumeru district with winners being awarded with cash awards.

Ouma says he is eying corporations here in Tanzania that are keen on promoting Mathematics as a key science subject to come on board and sponsor this bold initiative.

"We are eying anybody who is keen on promoting Mathematics as a key science subject to come on board and join us," he adds.

He says majority of the students at the centre are poor who are in need of financial support to help meet their tuition fees.

Ouma reckons that following the global financial melt down, most of the donors from Canada, US, Australia, and UK that used top sponsor students at the centre withdrew their support leaving most of the students without a donor to pay for their tuition fees.

"There is a crying need for financial support to help meet the cost of educating of these beautiful children", says Ouma, "From these young girls and boys may emerge those who will one day have the expertise to salvage Tanzania from its poverty situation," he adds.

"We are quite aware that the world has in a practical sense turned into a global village. All these realities compel every human being to come out of their isolation to work together and build relationships across the globe. Our aim is to make Outreach Language and Education Centre a centre of academic excellence in King'ori areaá¾and its environs, adds Ouma